Sabbath

This Sabbath carries little rest

My heart cannot be still

It's breaking full of unbelief

Could this have been His will?

I stare at spices sweet prepared

For the body of my Lord.

His body! Dead. Alive no more

I long for Living Word

How could my Jesus, Son of God

Be gone away from me?

How did this happen? O my soul!

I writhe in agony.

Was it I who sent Him there

To the cruel cross?

Why would He love me - me - so?

All I am is loss.

He wasn't recognizable

His face and body torn

But those eyes, yet filled with blood

Met my gaze alone

They did not cease to love me

E'en in the midst of pain

One look from Jesus and I knew

My guilt and all my shame

I wait, for now, to go to Him

His lifeless body there

One last thing I'll do for Him

One way to show my care

It should be me there in that tomb,

Mangled. Torn apart.

I wait this Sabbath, grieving sore

I cannot feel my heart.

O Sabbath, pass. O sun, please set.

Let me try to sleep

Up before the morning sun

His body I will treat.

But lo, someone has been here

The stone is rolled away

Who are these shining men?

What is that they say?

I cry. I still cannot believe.

This is a cruel trick.

Not understanding, I weep the more

My heart is sinking, sick.

Afraid and bowed, I process words

They said "He is not here",

"Why seek the living with the dead?"

I scarce believe for fear.

"He is risen!" - I hear them now

My Christ, alive, is it true?

My heart dares hope. My Lord's alive?

O Lord, I must see you!

"Why do you weep?" the gardener asks.

"Who are you looking for?"

"His body" is my sad reply.

"The body of my Lord."

Then I heard Him speak my name.

He knows me? my heart cries

I turn, my Jesus standing there!

He reaches, dries my eyes.

I weep for joy, remembering now

His words about third day.

"Go. Don't stay here; tell my friends."

With joy I do obey!

-NR 4/19/14