A fatal ride

After Mark 11:1-11 

He rode into the city,

accompanied by the praises,

the songs, the hallelujahs, 

the palms cast before him. 

He rode knowing he was

riding to what has been

ordained, that the praises

would turn to cruses and

taunts, the palms would turn

into thorns, the songs

to chants for death.

He knew, and still

he rode. 

 

It’s easy to shout

hosannas and amens until

the realization that 

to be called 

by this king was, and is, 

to be called to come

and die.

 

“When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.” – Dietrick Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship.

 

Photograph by Tim Mossholder via Unsplash. Used with permission.

Some Friday Readings

 

Gethsemane – poem by Mary Oliver at Kingdom Poets (D.S. Martin).

 

The Quiet Revival Breaks Spiritual Stillness in the United Kingdom – John Stevens at The Gospel Coalition.

 

The Precious Blood – Chris Martin at FYI. 

 

Transplanted – Seth Lewis.

 

Lent with Van Gogh, Part 7 – Megan Willome, 

 

Holy Week – A Poem Trilogy – Jody Lee Collins at Poetry & Made Things.