These Are My JOTtings, Part #2

From Fear to Boldness

The door was opened in a rush.
"He's risen!" came the blurted words.
This startled man's still heartfelt crush
could hear the chirping of the birds.

"He died. How can you say these things?
A dead man stays all wrapped, and still."
"The normal can't apply to kings.
He overrules all earthly will."

Alert enough to find his feet,
he stood and followed through the door.
The walkers soon ran pretty fleet,
until the grave they stood before.

"What's down there, Peter? Is it safe?"
As John just stood there all transfixed
impetuous Peter explored the grave,
while John's own hopes and fears were mixed.

"He's gone! Come see the cloths, that lie.
The stone is cold, but my heart's warm.
I sense, that there's a new thing nigh,
a thing, that stops all felt alarm."

"What can it be?" John's question, true.
"The women said they saw Him here,
but I've not seen, nor yet have you.
When will we know, and see it clear?"

A body stealing? Could it be?
Within John's mind, a maelstrom roiled.
Returning home with thoughts not free.
His hopes were dark, the future foiled.

'Twas later in that same first day,
so new the week, so sad the heart,
but meeting friends some fear allayed,
where hope could find a smallish start.

Then Jesus came and stood right there.
"SHALOM, my friends. There's hope for you."
They staggered at some answered prayer
they hadn't prayed in this day so new.

He showed His hands and side as proof.
He bid them live in peace as sent.
The days to serve for these few youth
would go where the Holy Spirit went.

In eight days hence, dear Thomas joined,
and he convinced became a force.
He ne'er would glory have purloined,
but humbly stayed on the God-bid course.

When Jesus died, they hid, they ran.
They knew the corners, shadows deep,
but when they saw Him, bold to stand,
they sought the sheaves, began to reap.

They preached, "Redemption for all men!
The Savior, dead, has risen, lives!
O, bow the knee. Repent of sin,
receive Salvation, that He gives!"

They served, and died, and serve Him now.
This Savior of all childlike hearts.
When all Earth's souls before Him bow,
His lasting Kingdom daily starts.

O, Christian, in this modern day
let service be your life's blest call.
"Well done," your hope to hear Him say.
Your crown before His Feet will fall.

by Jay O’Toole
on April 17th, 2022