I Waited for the Lord My God (Psalm 40)

I waited for the Lord my God,
Yea, patiently drew near,
And He at length inclined to me,
My pleading cry to hear.
He took me from destruction’s pit,
From out the miry clay;
He set my feet upon a rock,
And steadfast made my way.
A new and joyful song of praise
My thankful heart He taught,
A song of glory to our God
For all that He has wrought.
And many who behold how good
The Lord has been to me
Shall learn to fear, and in His Name
Their trust shall henceforth be.

Anonymous Christian Poetry
Public Domain

John 20:24-31 by Judith A. Sears

I have always been fond of the story of Thomas, ...missing out on seeing Jesus entering the house, because he was off somewhere. How disappointed he must have been. His was sort of a sour grapes kind of reaction that lingered through the centuries, that he doubted the words of his fellow disciples and promised only to believe if he was given physical proof that it was truly Jesus and not some ghost come back to haunt them. 

Then a week later it was finally his turn to see and feel the proof that Jesus was Lord and God. The neatest thing about this story is what Jesus told Thomas. For me, it sounded like a prediction, for I am one of those blessed who have not seen, yet I believe and Jesus knew I would be, centuries before I was born.

Tangible Proof, Closing Doubt's Door 

Do you suppose that Thomas felt warmth and vitality?
some kind of electric spark or perhaps a pulsing...?
the essence of God flowing through his fingers... 

Was it a brilliant thing to have experienced?
or a simple confirming wound?
the electric connection of searching fingers
examining the wounds,
the breathtaking realization of answers found,
his disbelief dissolved,
the humbling surrender, the clarity of his belief.

Forever forward Thomas would no longer be uncertain
the lesson was learned
though he would be remembered as the doubter
he will be still and forever loved for who he was.

Someday I will be at that door
I will know the affect of that precious wounded hand
indelibly impressed upon my own small hand
All the magnificence of the paradise
into which He leads me, will pale
compared to the splendor of holding His hand.

Judith A. Sears ©2013

Inside the Tomb

 The moon had passed its zenith and it was just past half way between darkness and light on morning the third day following Christ's crucifixion.  God summoned five angels including Michael the Archangel. He dispatched them to the tomb of his Son with these instructions: "minister to Him as he rises".

Shortly the angels arrived at the tomb. Two were left outside to guard the entrance. Michael said, "I will call to you when it is time to roll away the stone".

 Michael, the Archangel and the two remaining angles passed through the granite walls and into the tomb. As they entered their radiance illuminated the tomb's chamber. The air in the chamber was sweet with the aroma of the embalming spices. Christ lay serenely as he had been paced by Joseph of Arimathaea and Nicodemus.
 The angels each took a position, one at the feet of Jesus and one near his head. Michael the Archangel sat at the Lord's side.

 A time passed and then Jesus stirred and the angles kneeled and removed the linen burial cloths.  Michael touched his arm and Jesus removed the face cloth and looked into his eyes. "Michael," Jesus said, "you have come". "Yes", Michael replied, "your Father sent us to minister to you and be with you until you come home to be with him".

 Even Michael the Archangel was taken aback by the scene: the wounds, the cuts from the thorns. Tears streamed from his eyes for he loved his Lord.

 Jesus sat up took the face cloth, folded it, and placed it on the ledge of the tomb.

 Michael the Archangel touched the Lord's feet and the wounds were sealed, he touched to Lord's side and  hands and the wounds were sealed. He wiped the Lord's brow with a warm damp cloth and the scars of the thorns were healed.

 Then one of the angels provided drink and sustenance and the other garments for Jesus to wear.
 "The time is near", Jesus said, "soon she will come". "They all are frightened and alone" Jesus continued.  "I will provide them with comfort and assurance".

 Michael, the Archangel,  called to those angels guarding the tomb, "roll away the stone, for Jesus Christ the Lord has risen". And the enormous stone sealing the entrance was rolled away as the break of dawn illuminated the earth.
 Jesus arose and walked to the tomb's entrance. He stopped and turning to the angels. Nodding to them  he said, "you two shall remain here for a while and announce to the woman I have risen".

"Praise God unto the highest", the angels replied. Jesus's disciples arrived at the tomb but only one entered.
 After the disciples departed, Mary, weeping,  entered the tomb, the two angles greeted her and asked the woman, "why are you weeping"?

"They have taken my Lord and I do not know where they have laid him", Mary replied.A voice from behind asked, "woman why are you weeping"? "Whom are you seeking"?

Mary turned to see him, and the man standing just outside the tomb said, "Mary".  Mary recognizing Jesus said, "Teacher".

And Jesus said, "go and tell my disciples I have risen".

By: E. Eugene Webb PhD
Author: In Search of Robin,