I Judas

Sometime between the time he betrayed Jesus, and before Jesus rose from the dead, Judas killed himself. The poem, written from his perspective, and posted April 13th, gives what I think are some very good reasons why he killed himself. The following uses the previous poem.

Yesterday, at 2AM, the following came to me. Anyone who wants to use it for an Easter Altar call, is welcome to it. I offered to read it at our Easter service.

Easter Altar Call

God asked me
to offer a choice
to you this Easter.

A choice of life or death.

A life of Joy.
A life of Hope.
A life full of Grace.

Or death alone.
A death of painful
eternal anguish.

That joyful Easter morning
a man went off to seek death.
He chose death -

Judas was his name.
He headed to the
potters field - alone.

In anguish death seemed
the only answer.
Death would ease the pain.

(Read I Judas)

Today I offer
you a choice.
Will you choose life?

Will you accept the
gift of a Joyful life
offered by Jesus?

Will you invite Him in?
If anyone wants a
life of Joy step forward.

I will pray with you
and invite you to
a life of Joy.

I know the choices.
My son thought death
the only release from his pain.

I know true hope.
Hope in midst of despair.
Rejoicing when all seems bleak.

Let me offer you Hope.
Let me offer you a life
of purpose and fulfillment.

Let me offer you Jesus.
The cross and
empty tomb.



For you who would note we do not know if or when Judas actually killed himself, you are correct. Think of this as a myth that contrasts our choices. Eternal life, or death. By placing them at the same time, the choice stands out in sharp relief. A choice we each must make. A choice of life or death. How will/did you choose?

Judas

The "new" "gospel" of "Judas" reminds me of some of my poems by and about Judas. Judas may have been doing the will of God in betraying Jesus, the only problem is Judas chose to betray. No one made him do it. This poem written from Judas perspective sums up why death seemed Judas only choice; Why the gnostic "gospel" isn't good news.

I Judas
Take back your silver
I betrayed him.

I was wrong
He was Messiah, I thought.

Come to rescue
from Pagan Romans.

I didn’t understand
I didn’t know him.


Guilt Gnaws
Acid corrodes….Inside.

I thought I knew him
I heard his message.

I saw him heal
I felt his grace.

I didn’t understand
I didn’t know him.


Nailed to his cross
Nails driven so deep.

I couldn’t bear to watch
Goodness hung on a tree.

Arms outstretched
Dying between two thieves.

I didn’t understand
I didn’t know him.

Wound so deep
So final.

No penance possible.
I chose DEATH.

Death the only payment
for my sin

I didn’t understand
I didn’t know him.


Death, payment for sin
Both our destinies.

But for me
The potter’s field.

For Him
The empty tomb.

I didn’t know Him.
DO YOU?

© Presbypoet April 22, 2000

Like Judas, we need to learn if we truly know Jesus.

A firmer foundation

I have discovered a longer version of my favorite hymn.

Two verses that add some more perspective ( #2 & #6).

How Firm a Foundation

How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word!
What more can He say than to you He hath said,
To you, who to Jesus for refuge have fled?

In every condition, in sickness, in health;
In poverty’s vale, or abounding in wealth;
At home and abroad, on the land, on the sea,
As thy days may demand, shall thy strength ever be.

Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed,
For I am thy God and will still give thee aid;
I’ll strengthen and help thee, and cause thee to stand
Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand.

When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of sorrow shall not overflow;
For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless,
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.

When through fiery trials thy pathways shall lie,
My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply;
The flame shall not harm thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.

Even down to old age all My people shall prove
My sovereign, eternal, unchangeable love;
And when hoary hairs shall their temples adorn,
Like lambs they shall still in My bosom be borne.

The soul that on Jesus has leaned for repose,
I will not, I will not desert to its foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no never, no never forsake.

A simple song.
A very important lesson to learn.

At church, when I offered praise last sunday that I knew God was with me in the midst of my trials, I sang the third and last verses to better express knowing they were true.

Do you know they are true?