Ditch the ads, upload images and much more - upgrade today from 5.95/month!
Read • Contests • Groups • Learn • Forums • Store • Help
 

Response (Was I There?)

Was I there when Christ was crucified?
If Christ is God, and God knew me before I was formed in my Mother’s womb, then at least the knowledge of me was there in His heart.

Was I there when they marched Him to the hill?
If Christ carried the weight of not only my sins, but the weight of the sins of the whole world—a feat far more fantastic than the false fable of Atlas—then at last I can say that my sins were there on His back as He carried that cross to Calvary.

Was I there when they crowned Him with the thorns?
If Christ suffered to save my soul, to snatch the soles of my feet from the sinking sands of self—spit upon by sadistic soldiers, they smote and scarred His sacred skin—then the salvation of my soul was there in the thorns & thistles that sat upon His holy head.

If Christ shed His blood so red to wash my uncleanness and iniquity, was I there when the blood came streaming down?
That miraculous blood which cleanses the stains in my heart, and that washs away the dirt of this world that has soiled my spiritual garments—flowing forth from the stripes in His hide and the spear in His side, made fresh each time my sisters & brothers & I flounder in the filth and death all around us, filth that runs through our veins and pours from our pores, turning sweat into mud, making pitch of our blood ‘til it clogs our hearts & smears our skin…If this skin was washed and these hearts were flushed when The Living Water gushed forever forth from the holes in His hands and His feet…

Was I there when they laid Him in the tomb? Was I there when He rose up from the dead?
If this and all other Truths of God need no proof but to each her own heart, each his own soul, then Yes. Without doubt, YES, I can attest to the knowledge, o’er a chorus of historians, archaeologists, scholars & linguists; physicists, geologists, realists and atheists. Though my imperfect carnal mind could never find the cognitive logic to be anything more than blind, my spirit sees clearly what my soul knows is near and my heart holds so dear—That “YES!” I Was There When They Crucified My Lord, The Christ, Called Jesus, God Forevermore!
Amen.



©Marvin D. Johnson, 05JAN98

Author notes

If this piece shows any type of gifting, I'd say it is Spiritual insight--that is the Gift of seeing things in a way most people don't initially see it...a way particular to my personal communion with the Holy Spirit.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJcsXKWcuRI
One night several years ago, I attended an Easter Service where they'd sung the song, and it struck me while driving home that most people in that congregation probably didn't really give much thought or consideration to the depth of the questions asked therein. They may have at least just sung the all-too-familiar words; and at most may have considered and been touched/moved by the images of Christ going through His story. But, I thought, very few had probably tried to place themselves there.

Of course when considered chronologically and practically, it seems nonsensical to ask. Naturally, we weren't there 2K years ago. Naturally. However, as I further reflected, I felt that the Holy Spirit was feeding me answers, and this piece is the final result.

God Bless You. †
Christ's Love,
Sincerely,
Marvin J.

ps--Having, over the years, read this piece in public many times, had others read it, choreographed it and danced to it...this contemporary-yet-eternally-perspectived, gut reaction to an old spiritual slave song has radically altered my perception and living out of what the Gospel story means to an individual. And to the world. The tears and comments of listeners and readers have convinced me that I am not alone.

"Very rarely will someone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possible dare to die."-Romans 5:7

A contest entry

Please tell me what you think

    : , Your review:

    Comment Suggestion: What is your your first impression?
    • Line numbers  • Invite them to read
    : no Cost: 0 free left 0 points, You have (?)

Comments

1 - 19 of 19

  • pumpykin
    October 9

    Edit | Reply
    Wow this is amazing It's powerful and holds so much truth and incredible emotion. There is only one disagreement I have; if you'd like to know what it is just message me (I don't wish it to lead to an argument though, just perhaps an insightful discussion).
    Another awesome write


  • SamanthaSam gold member
    October 1

    Edit | Reply
    This is just perfect G-ma in its way you figured out the answers. I think, YES, we were there. You are truly a wonderful person and when you write like this it makes me love you all the more, if possible.
    Hugs, Sam I Am


  • Blueskywonder
    September 24

    Edit | Reply
    I think it is wonderful how you have reasoned out this spiritual piece full of litterary promise and hope... feel such passion could walk upon water itself

    yet, i am not a believer in religios practice of any-sort, specialy one which uses crucigixion to structure the pain of why, life is a slow death without meaning having to watch good unnaturaly die. Great write... may you find the connection you so sincerely seek


  • Seyloren
    September 21

    Edit | Reply

    Beautiful

    I don't know what to say that hasn't already been said. You took points that anyone who's read the bible would understand and personalized them. It's a perspective that anyone would be blessed to have.

    Good luck in the contest.

    ~Sey


  • evershine-90
    September 20

    Edit | Reply
    This is beautiful, the questions you have raised and the feel of the each and every word you utter touch the heart deeply. Thank you for sharing this moving piece with me and thank you entering my contest.

    Evershine


  • melodytcromer
    August 20

    Edit | Reply

    Excellent WOW POWERFUL!!

    Very Nice. I really enjoyed reading this it was kind of long but sometimes you have to go long in order to make a point and the point is well made in this poem.I enjoyed it totally from begining to end .Thank You for sharing it with me.


  • Denerica silver member
    August 17

    Edit | Reply
    Powerful... the questions are real, heartfelt and bold enough to ask, the answers shared. The blood nothing but the blood. Keep reading it outloud to the public...what a declaration of faith. Excellent. Blessings.

  • AngieLynne
    August 17
    Edit | Reply
    What a nice way of looking at it!
    It took me back a bit and made me think.
    Good Luck!


  • Still Standing gold member
    April 14

    Edit | Reply
    Perfection! This was a very remarkable write and actually asks questions that I have not thought of. Yes we were all there he was thinking of each and every one of us that day now isn't fantastic! I think so and your put it in such beautiful words well done!


  • BonnieQ silver member
    March 23

    Edit | Reply

    Gold, Gold, Gold!

    This spiritual , even melodic prose about our Saviour's blood shed for us is exceptionally moving, exquisitely written, and filled with undeniable Truth.

    I remember once a person said, "Well, I believe in God and Jesus; I just don't need them." I instantly began crying and attempting to explain what Jesus had done for him, for everyone; the entire time my mind playing a film clip of Christ on that cross and the horrors done to him.

    As you point out, Marv, so few really comprehend the insight of your piece. I wish more did, for time is exceedingly short.

    This should have reaped gold in each contest it has been entered; yet, I am not surprised it has not. No one wants to hear the "hard" words, only the smooth ones sooth their itching ears.

    Luv in Christ, BonnieQ


    • Black JaPanther
      March 24
      Edit | Reply

      Thanks Very Much, Bonnie...

      I read your profile page and your life reminded me of a lyric I once wrote in a song, "...my broken body is my witness to my superior spiritual fitness", which may at first glance seem vain or boastful. But in reality, it's a simple admission that when our bodies fail us, all that can sustain us is spirit. God Bless You For Your Life Of Ministry, Mercy And Kindness To Others.

      Sincerely,
      Marvin J.


  • echo-ink
    March 16

    Edit | Reply
    You have brought out many of the reasons why Jesus HAD to die,
    Tjis was done in a most wonderful way.
    Thanks for entering this,

    finals


  • RisingTideofChrist
    May 4, 2008

    Edit | Reply
    This is amazing! Thank you, I never would have thought about being with Christ-- it's an awesome concept!


  • Sinfully Yours
    April 18, 2007

    Edit | Reply

    This is really good!

    I really like this piece! Even though I am not so involved in christianity, I still think it could be very true! And that is exactly why I don't always believe what people say about Christ because anything is possible! but Great Job!!!


  • Freestyle Bushido
    April 7, 2007

    Edit | Reply
    The main sources which directly attest the fact of Christ's Resurrection are the Four Gospels and the Epistles of St. Paul. Easter morning is so rich in incident, and so crowded with interested persons, that its complete history presents a rather complicated tableau. It is not surprising, therefore, that the partial accounts contained in each of the Four Gospels appear at first sight hard to harmonize. But whatever exegetic view as to the visit to the sepulchre by the pious women and the appearance of the angels we may defend, we cannot deny the Evangelists' agreement as to the fact that the risen Christ appeared to one or more persons. According to St. Matthew, He appeared to the holy women, and again on a mountain in Galilee; according to St. Mark, He was seen by Mary Magdalen, by the two disciples at Emmaus, and the Eleven before his Ascension into heaven; according to St. Luke, He walked with the disciples to Emmaus, appeared to Peter and to the assembled disciples in Jerusalem; according to St. John, Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalen, to the ten Apostles on Easter Sunday, to the Eleven a week later, and to the seven disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. St. Paul (1 Corinthians 15:3-8) enumerates another series of apparitions of Jesus after His Resurrection; he was seen by Cephas, by the Eleven, by more than 500 brethren, many of whom were still alive at the time of the Apostle's writing, by James, by all the Apostles, and lastly by Paul himself.

    Very good poem


  • Burmina
    April 7, 2007

    Edit | Reply
    Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful.

    Though myself I am not a Christian, I am close to many that are, and have gone to church for years now. I have raised questions such as this time and time again. As you first said, we -wern't- there 2k ago. But you have so amazingly writen this to convince the world that we indeed were.

    One of my favorite parts of this whole write is that I didn't get a single feeling of preachiness. There was simply the devote, beautiful, passionate FAITH that is so often mistaken for "this is my religion that I am now going to push on the world".

    Again, a lovely write that is indeed worth worldly prise.

    Burmina


  • thelordreigns gold member
    March 24, 2007

    Edit | Reply

    Thank you dear poet

    This is excellent!

    I am sure I know this song but it is not coming to me right now. Can you find a link to add with your poem?

    This piece is Holy Spirit inspired. What our Lord did on the cross is timeless and eternal. It is a moment that all believers experience because we are there with Him on that cross. He has taken each of our sins on Him and suffers the agony of separation from His father because we sinned. Yes - without His blood being spilled - His "miraculous blood which cleanses the stains in my heart" - we would all be eternally separated from Father, Son and Holy Spirit - the blessed trinity and the very Life He has called us to.

    Anyhow.....this is excellent. I am suprised you have not had comments. May I feature this piece for you?

    Love and hugs - - joanne

1 - 19 of 19