This is a new poem. It’s been in my heart for awhile to write this poem. I’ve been thinking a lot about Jesus’ feet.
A quick word about the poem and its structure. His Word is at the heart of this poem. There are 7 stanzas for Jesus and seven stanzas for us His modern disciples. There are 4 verses in each stanza for Jesus, and 3 verses in the stanzas representing us. That makes a total of 49 verses. Forty-nine is a significant number in the bible:
“The meaning of the number 49 is derived from the fact that it is 7 times 7. Seven is a Biblically perfect numeral representing spiritual perfection. 49 is also related to the unlimited forgiveness God offers us and which he commands we should offer our fellow humans.”
(Source: https://www.biblestudy.org/bibleref/meaning-of-numbers-in-bible/49.html)
Every stanza about Jesus is preceded by a piece of scripture. And every stanza about us is proceeded by a piece of scripture.
JESUS
Pink wiggling toes gurgle ministerial nascent chortles
Free of gravity but beleaguered by defiant joyous cries
A familial beginning without end, runs, dances, jumps at Love’s opportunity
A glorious footed intercession cedes to dusty roads
US
From Light to entombed gestating darkness we exit feet last
Bootstrapped by omissive obedience we take to our feet
Wondrous daily reflections mirror ingratiated realities and pique querulous adventures
Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path.
Psalm 119: 105
JESUS
Barren desert affixes our Lord’s feet in brandishing sand
Lurid temptations arise from smoldering ashes of insinuating accusations
Manifested templed heights conflate impetuous profanity with wretched revilement
The test is rejected: the shelter of the Most Hight is imperturbable
US
Innocence flirts with curiosity
The valley of darkness is a bewitching labyrinth without an earthly map
Our Shepherd leads the Way guiding our lumbering, puffed up camel struts through the eye of the needle
Keep straight the path of your feet,
and all your ways will be sure.
Do not swerve to the right or to the left;
turn your foot away from evil.
Proverbs 4: 26-27
JESUS
She sat at his feet hearkening every word and beat of His heart
New teachings emerge to point hidden pictures on gaunt uncertain canvases
Lazarus’ death sets His feet in delayed motion – bowing to Obedience
Effusive perfumed gratitude unknowingly anticipates His death
US
Like it or not the bells toll
Our feet defy time’s inexorable wailing drone
For what has been, what is, and what is to come: gratitude seeks to befriend us
He drew me up from the desolate pit,
out of the miry bog,
and set my feet upon a rock,
making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth,
a song of praise to our God.
Psalm 40: 2-3
JESUS
Jesus, Master Servant, passes over bloodletting enslavement
Wearied feet are the sole recipient of the Creator’s tender cleansing
Jesus dines in Communion – with everyone He Loves – and shares His Bless Cup
The unblemished “True” Lamb bleats and serves all for the One
US
Compassionating Wisdom daunts our selfish instincts
One exigency or another repeatedly assails our base desires till we succumb to beauteous giving
Agencies of gifts, people, and situations beckon us to amass feats of service
He will guard the feet of his faithful ones,
but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness;
for not by might does one prevail.
1 Samuel 2: 9
JESUS
Berserk clanking embattles Jesus’ Good feats
Pierced offense are defenseless against salvific necessities, and heals are suspended for a time between heaven and earth
Jesus dines in Communion – with everyone He Loves – and shared His Blessing Cup
Jesus’ immobility extinguishes once, and for all, the fire of sins’ consuming burn
US
We do our awful best
While we are endless benefactors of His Mercy we are prisoners in a fallen world
Our happy constraints bind us to Him and free us from ourselves
Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed.
Hebrews 12: 12-13
JESUS
Mary’s fallow anguish interrogates sorrow
No imploring look, no earth-shattering thought, and no prayerful plea can console her
She watches and waits… seconds pass as centuries, and minutes feels like eons
Mary kisses Jesus’ feet: when nothing else can make a difference, she embraces Love
US
We are called and chosen to celebrate defeat
While our crosses vex us, Jesus’ cross liberates us
Let us hurry to adore Him and venerate the cross – our doorway to heaven
For you have delivered my soul from death,
and my feet from falling,
so that I may walk before God
in the light of life.
Psalm 56: 13
JESUS
“It is finished,” we have been told, and we will one day see that verily all of it is finished
The end to begin all ends stretches across today’s tomorrow
Jesus’ Word will not return to Him void
His pierced feet will touch the Mount of Olives, and the Kingdom of His Divine Will will be restored
US
Happy feet run to our festal gathering
The thunderous Song of the Lamb flows in the land of milk and honey inebriating our souls
Exalted by His Glory we forever praise His Name
