Resurrection Reports

 

HE IS RISEN!
The Conclusion – and beginning – of Holy Week.

 

During the Festival of Sukkot – in Autumn – there is an eight day celebration. Sukkot goes for one week and then there is an extra day that is set apart. It’s a 7+1 celebration. There is something significant about eight days in Scripture. Now, this isn’t something that we need to get weird about – as we have a tendency to do. It just shows us God is up to something … (For an introduction to Sukkot and the eight days, here is one website you can check out; and I’m sure there are many – and I am not promoting them, I’m just saying they talk about it).

I only bring this up for two quick reasons. One, we see Jesus do this during holy week. He began on Palm Sunday and proceeds for a week through the Sabbath on Saturday. And then, something very significant happens that 7+1 – that eighth – day!

Second, I am intrigued by so many of you all and the work you put into your blog. One of the things that I find creative is the six word stories. I want to try and tackle this, however, in lieu of the special eight days, I wanted to record just a few of the people that witnessed this event in eight word stories. Oh boy!

Angel
I moved the stone, sat on top; gazed!

Roman Guards
We guarded, angel rolled the stone – we ran!

Religious Leaders
       He did what?! Here’s more money soldiers. Lie!

 

Photo by Andre Furtado on Pexels.com

Mary
       Sun rises. To tomb – spices. Gardener? Son rises!

John
I run faster. Peter enters. Heart perplexed; stirred!

Peter
I’m slower, but enter tomb first. He lives!

Two Walkers
He walked, hearts burned. Fed us, eyes opened!

Thomas
I don’t believe – must feel him … … Lord Jesus!

The Eleven
Doors locked; scared. How did you get here?!
Whose cooking breakfast on shore? That’s our Lord!

Paul
I will stop them all! … … “Paul!” … My Lord!

500+
       We all give witness – we have seen him!

Photo by Victor Freitas from Pexels

 

Photo by Nacho Juárez from Pexels

I hope you all have a wonder day!

Quandering Quest

Questions quickly quake,

Quill quietly quivers.

Quest quelled by quibbler’s quib –

Quid pro quo; for quandary, quarters and quagmire!

Questant queasy … quitting quill for qiviut quilt.

Paralytic Prayers and Postures

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Abba, I am trying to enter the Sabbath – obey –
But I am, well, I am … … don’t know what to say, 

I can’t believe he’s gone – I … can’t breathe, 
The Messiah! Why did he leave?! 

And he left me responsible for his mother, 
I am glad he saw me as his true brother! 

Plus, we are scared and are hidden, 
Will we forever now be outcasts – forbidden? 

 

I remember the day he called me to follow, 
With my brother – left father in the boat’s hollow, 

I loved him so much. Abba, what’s in store for us? 
I … … don’t really know what to say, plus, 

Feel like I can’t move. My pose and posture paralytic, 
I feel too numb to pray or to write a lyric. 

Please, just wrap me in my arms and help me rest, 
Give me strength to still give my best … … 

Photo by Akshar Dave from Pexels

 

Osteoporosis Poses

Good Friday

 

Thank you Suki for this second picture prompt! Hopefully I can give it some justice…

Here are the rules for this one taken from her page:

Feel free to join in this challenge and write a post, be it a poem, short story or any other thoughts you have about the picture. Or, drop me a comment below and leave your thoughts with me…

Looking forward to reading your ideas…

Little Rants, yep, I tag you again! This one doesn’t have a word count limit though, so that’s a plus! Lol. Anyone else up for this challenge?

 

19 April 2019

“Osteoporosis Poses”

 

 

I’m enigmatic!
Come close if you want
To feel the static
While I tickle your fabric –
Panic is automatic!
Fervent heat moving vehement elements,
As the strongest, before me,
Take osteoporosis poses,
Knees weak and buckle
As they yell pleads and pleas –
Many pleases,
But the fiercest babble with
Sniffles and sneezes
Before me –
Just wait until they meet my King –
Jesus!

… … …

Father rouses me to action

… … …

Although I am a force of power –
Also the results of my Master’s thoughts flashing –
At the final battle, I will be at the forefront,
In the valley for time last, good and evil clashing!

Today, however, is not the day!
Ah, roused for a special task indeed,
For the Father’s making a descent to earth,
I am his robe; the procession – I lead.

We descend in darkness and thunderous claps,
Approaching to … Wait! What is this I see?!
Is that … … it’s my glorious King!
Hanging by nails upon that tree?!

Anger kindled, I let out a flash,
Along with a thunderous cry,
I look into the face of the Father,
As tears well up in his eyes.

Upon the surrounding hills I weep,
In the form of large rain drops,
In a flash of bright blue to ominous orange,
I strike down on one of the hill tops.

The Father looks upon the face of his son,
Being crushed under weight of world’s sin,
Then he moves through the city,
And his temple he enters in.

The huge veil he rents in passionate force,
Right down the full length of the middle,
Ripping his covering and clothed in my darkness –
Sackcloth and ashes. What is this riddle?!

As I look upon my King – blood pooled below,
I have no more shock left within – I’m listless,
Osteoporosis poses – I go limp like … his body;
No thunderous cry … … I am … … speechless.

© Joshua Curtis, 2019

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See also: Matthew 27, Mark 15, Luke 23, John 19, & Psalm 18

Night Befalls

Holy Week 2019 proceeds…

Photo by Joonas kääriäinen from Pexels

Night ushers in, clothed in silvery gleam,
As Luna shimmers bright, entering Passover full steam,
Joy around table, supping cups;
Mood changes – he teaches his body, Covenant New,
And that one would betray him, he says out of the blue,
Nervous, but Judas continuously sups.

Photo by Pixabay from Pexels

We go for a stroll through silvery gardens,
He says I will deny him! Heart slightly hardens.
He teaches urgently for hours.
Judas absent; Jesus doesn’t waste a breath,
Why does he keep speaking about his death?!
What does he mean?! The mood sours.

Photo by Pixabay from Pexels

We enter the Garden of Gethsemane,
Dark shadows crawl from each olive tree;
He implores us to stay awake.
As the night lingers he slouches – weighed down
Like his spirit was sinking, or already drown –
Sleep conquers; wine our consciousness takes.

Photo by Francesco Ungaro from Pexels

Aroused from nap as he implores with urgency,
Unaware Judas had a fistful of currency,
A stones throw away, he collapses to pray,
“Abba, he’s full of sorrow, what’s wrong with our Yeshua?”
Faltering on warning, “Stay awake, it will behoove ya’.”
Eyelids crash – I’m sleep’s prey.

Photo by Rajul Sharma from Pexels

He awakens us again, bloodstained at peace, says time is nigh,
As we see the approach of torches – do we fly?!
He stands steadfast and resolute;
Crowd with clubs and swords. Is that Judas leading?!
Hearts racing – revolution beginning? Mind’s pleading!
Judas kisses his cheek; to the enemies a salute!

Photo by Batuhan Alper Bilginer from Pexels

Hell and mayhem break loose,
They grab my Rabbi! I’m cooking their goose!
Fighting for life, I unsheathe my sword,
Swing it like a battle ax to split his crown,
He dodges, but I take his ear, spilling blood on gown;
Rebukes me and heals the uncircumcised swine! I’m floored!

Photo by it’s me neosiam from Pexels

Looking around, most of my friends already fled,
From our Rabbi who our spirits he faithfully fed,
Despondent and confused, I chose to flee;
Running into darkness away from the torches flames,
Breathless, fear settles as the anger tames,
I yell, “Abba, how can this be?!”

Photo by Etienne Marais from Pexels

I follow the mob at a distance,
Is this the end? Deflated hope of resistance?
I continue lurking in the shadows,
One friend with me; they take Jesus inside.
My friend goes in as Jesus they begin to deride.
I remain out and try to blend with the flows.

Photo by omar alnahi from Pexels

The crowd continues to question, hit and mock,
Courage sinks like quicksand – I’m supposed to be the rock –
They beat him and accuse him with lies!
My face and accent give me away,
They say I’m with him, I deny my Lord – I sway!
The rooster sings thrice – oh, Jesus’ eyes! – sunrise …

Photo by lalesh aldarwish from Pexels

© Joshua Curtis, 2019

Murderous

© Joshua Curtis, 2019

The final thoughts
Of a dying man;
How could I hatch this plan?
Drawn by a curse,
The lure of the purse,
Outcome – drinking down curse, full brim;

Photo by Vladislav Reshetnyak on Pexels.com

Let’s slow down a bit,
I have yet to betray him.
Who knows what tonight will bring.
But how did I get here?
False expectations!
Mixed with a bit of pride, I fear.

Photo by Jens Johnsson on Pexels.com

He’s the Messiah – the way?!
Ha! Supposed to defeat these Romans!
He’s just a showman!
Instead of marching and conquering,
We’re washing ankles and toes;
He knows best you would suppose,
But I grow – discontent!

Photo by rebcenter moscow on Pexels.com

I should repent,
But to my feelings I relent!
My intent? I don’t even know at this time,
Sell him for nickles and dimes?
A prophet for a profit … ?
He’ll probably escape like every time before,
Him, I used to adore, at least pretended to.
But when deciding on this sin;
Too late, no more time to implore,
As a strange presence enters in …

Photo by Tookapic on Pexels.com

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Luke 22.3-6 | Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve. He went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them. And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. So he consented and sought an opportunity to betray him to them in the absence of a crowd.

Continued blessings on this Holy Week.
© Joshua Curtis, 2019

Likeness

Luke 20.19-26 | The scribes and the chief priests sought to lay hands on him at that very hour, for they perceived that he had told this parable against them, but they feared the people. So they watched him and sent spies, who pretended to be sincere, that they might catch him in something he said, so as to deliver him up to the authority and jurisdiction of the governor. So they asked him, “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach rightly, and show no partiality, but truly teach the way of God. Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar, or not?” But he perceived their craftiness, and said to them, “Show me a denarius. Whose likeness and inscription does it have?” They said, “Caesar’s.” He said to them, “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” And they were not able in the presence of the people to catch him in what he said, but marveling at his answers they became silent. 

Photo by Rene Asmussen from Pexels

 

I want gain!
To simply try and maintain
Some semblance of membrane
Fighting through lack and pain –
Life of torturous mundane –
Food, clothing and status; plain!
No longer living with this strain,
Existence bane – I REFRAIN!

 

Photo by Marcelo Chagas from Pexels

 

That’s why I’m with the rulers – the elite!
As I march to their beat,
Carried by feet past the hordes in the street,
As they follow these fools! I’m sly and discreet
Determined to carry out my feat,
Tonight I’ll dine on wine and meat, when I get folly to repeat.
I will greet, take a seat and sift his words like wheat!
Yeshua, PREPARE FOR YOUR GREATEST FOE TO MEET!

 

Photo by Pixabay from Pexels

 

Uncanny plan, I will trip him up with tax!
… … He flipped it so easily with the power he packs,
He defeats all attacks. I feel burned like wax,
And beaten as with a stalks of flax!
Falling off the tracks, friends forget pacts and turn backs,
And what bears God’s likeness? Truth like an ax!
I do! These are the facts. I was embarrassed to the max.
WORDS ARE BARE! A REBUTTAL MY TONGUE LACKS!

 

Photo by Pixabay from Pexels

 

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What side do we find ourselves on? Holy Week 2019.

© Joshua Curtis, 2019

 

Kyrie

Sorry, I’m a day late. I couldn’t stay awake last night to post…

Photo by Walid Ahmad on Pexels.com

Abba,
The night lingers on as your stars
Kiss the loneliness of the dark sky.
Their light cascading softly down
The hills and crevasses around.
The breeze makes sand and leaves dance;
Your beauty; my spirit desires to fly.

Photo by eberhard grossgasteiger on Pexels.com

Abba,
As I take in all of this beauty –
Breathing the glow of Passover moon –
I must confess my heart is heavy,
Is this your presence, a broken levee?
This can’t be the Messiah,
Or can it be…is it too soon?

Photo by Hristo Fidanov on Pexels.com

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Abba,
Looking upon the beauty in the sky,
Tears well up; Abraham gazed these stars!
I was so hard on my son, but then I heard!
He loves this man! But I hung on every word!
He cleared out the Temple’s foolery;
His power and passion! Can he mend our scars?

Photo by Tomáš Malčo Malík on Pexels.com

Abba,
Over yonder, is that him around the fire,
Investing in his uncouth band of brothers?
How does he speak to you? Is he the one Father?
I’m riddled with doubts; my soul continues to bother!
I want to side with the rules who oppose;
Aha – his words my doubts smother!

Photo by Rodolfo Clix on Pexels.com

Abba,
Is this the answer?! The sun rising,
I can see my faults – kyrie eleison!
The golden rays envelope my frame,
Is this how history will say you came?
I don’t know … … … much anything today,
But I believe, this Yeshua is your son!

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Continued blessings on this Holy Week. See Luke 19.45-48 for context.

© Joshua Curtis, 2019

Jovial, Juvenile, Justify

To Whom this May Find

I just had to write this down.

Yesterday was … (how do I find the right words; Father, please help me) … historical and amazing. My family just arrived in Jerusalem. We got here early this year, by G-d’s good grace, early for the Passover.

The scene was unbelievable. A group quickly amassed with palm branches. I was intrigued, but nervous as the city has been in such turmoil. They crowed the city’s Golden Gate in a throng. Then their voices raised to the skies – Hosanna, Hosanna; blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. My spirit moved and leap within in.

I wasn’t sure what was going on, but an immense and royal joy came over me. I pressed closer to the scene as palm branches waved and were thrown down. A group of men come marching into the city riding on the accolades and praise of the crowd.

Then I saw the face of the colt. He was excited but tired as his face almost looked as if he was amazed to be chosen for this job. He seemed to be soaking up the moment – incomprehensible; yet somehow maybe true…

Then I saw him – the Rabbi all the fuss was about. I had heard of his fame and great works before I ever saw him, but to see him … There was something so regal and powerful. It was like being by him made you breathless and yet you realized he was the giver of breath. His name, Yeshua.

I’m still fairly young and I have a long way to go in my studies, but I know what the significance of him riding into the city on a colt meant. His declaration of being the triumphant King. Is the time now?! The leaders of the Pharisees do not think so. You should see them scowling around! They argue with everyone about him being the Messiah. I want to yell, “Haven’t you seen his works!”, but I must respect my elders and do not wish to embarrass by parents.

This has to be it! He has to be the Messiah! This must be the end of the Romans!! Redemption must be nigh!

As I look forward to Passover, I am not sure what this week may bring!

Hopefully I will write something else at the end of it all.

Blessings to you,
– Yehosuah (Joshua for you that will be reading this thousands of years from now in weird languages!)

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As we continue the march through Holy Week, may we put ourselves back in that time and walk with our Lord in his love and passion.

To my brothers and sisters in France (and any who were affected) – prayers with you!
© Joshua Curtis, 2019

Photo by Ashley Elena from Pexels

Photo by Kris Schulze from Pexels

Incomprehensible

Photo by Liz RoMo from Pexels

I am blessed above most
Yet forged in hardships
My story’s genesis
Wrought in confusion

One bright morning
In the flower of my youth
As the sun rays painted
My field in golden hues

Strangers came wandering
Down the road
Loosing my bonds
Taking me from my land

My master intervenes
Yet my calm quickly fades
Language is foreign to me
Panic grips me as I am led away

Walking over unfamiliar gravel
Confusion hazing my heart
Taken to more men
Their master is strange

Fear grips me sternly
As he emits power
Knees quiver like winter storms
Yet soul is at unspeakable peace

These unfamiliar faces
Lay burdenous sacks upon me
As they beckon me to walk
Transporting their master about

Young and strong
Inexperienced
Growing weary
Doubting my abilities

Miles later, I see life
The city lies ahead
What a commotion stirs
Dust like English clouds

Blessing or destruction
What lies ahead
Shouts and tears
Cacophony twists my ears

These strange faces around
Seem to be twisting joyously
I ease for the moment
While nerves genuflect within

Trod soft leaves and jackets
Laid before us by the swell
Strength arises within
As the moment’s weight unfolds

My deed told thousands of years before
My task confusing, hard
My spirit like tall grass swayed
Dancing like rhythm and blews

All the servants to be picked
I was chosen – incomprehensible –
Blessed as I carried
The Triumphant King!

© Joshua Curtis, 2019

Welcome to Holy Week – 2019!