Glory Seeds; Isaiah: Light to the Nations - Christian Lindbeck (Matt. 21:1-11; Isa. 52 & 53; 6:1-3, Heb. 12:2; John 6:37)

Nazarene nobody and yet

coming king
enters the thronged city - 
occupied by conquerors
on a night of freedom parties.
Suspicion and mystery
cloak His humble shoulders,
this raiser of the dead -
"how dare he?"

The lamb of God comes
on Lamb Day
and chooses His route
as carefully as etching
on stone the connections
to prophecies
and long-held expectations.
Air explodes like
fireworks
as enemies and 
participants alike 
read the signs (and respond
accordingly).

Yet it is only a dirty figure
on a filthy donkey
who stirs up such a cloud
of dust and furor.

Examine Him closely,
see how He blossoms
through choosing well
His words and deeds.
He will ultimately defeat Death
and be lifted upon a pedestal
to be worshiped in holiness
and honor;
all will see the resemblance -
like Father, like Son.

He stuns kingdoms
by His sacrifice and 
transformation -
their mouths gape in 
wordless wonderment.

His death will generate
a legacy of children 
yet unborn
and He will open the way
for God's plan 
to propagate.
In His agony 
He will open His eyes
to see triumph envelop
the years and
rescue generations.
Multitudes will be gathered,
faces upturned
to catch the gentle light
shining from 
tortured eyes.

Frayed robes and all,
King and nobody -
divine and mortal...
consider Him.
Consider His offer:
to lay down your rights 
for a taste of true liberation;
to give to receive;
to live open-handed
that glory may come down
and filter through your fingers -
flick them freely 
and watch the sparkles
spawn.