Jesus' Last Interactions

This post is a week late, but I wanted to share this with you anyway. This is a poem I wrote several years ago about some of the key players on Jesus' last day.

Jesus’ Last Interactions

8/2/08

Matthew 20: 18, 19

Listen. We are going up to Jerusalem, the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death. They will hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked, flogged and crucified and he will be resurrected on the third day.

I’m known throughout the generations

As the betrayer of the one who would save nations.

Judas Iscariot is my name,

I hung myself under the burden of my shame.

Tossing and turning I cannot sleep

Jesus the righteous man whose pain I reap

Approach my husband, Pilate, I presumed

But Jesus’ flogging and torture is resumed

Innocent man dragged before me by the Jews

If I give them what they want, what do I lose?

My wife says let him go

I give him to the Jews, wash my hands-white as snow

I weep to see my son on the cross

I never imagined I would suffer such loss

Jesus said, “John, behold your mother.”

In his shoulder my tears I smother

Look his robe torn and bloody

Let’s gamble as if it where money

It’s your turn, throw the dice

“I won.” With a laugh, “it isn’t at all nice.”

I’m beaten and hung up to die

Father don’t turn away from me I cry

Forgive them for they know not what they do

Take my spirit home, the covenant make anew.

Three times I denied my Lord

My self-hatred snapped like a chord

Forgiven and restored, Peter am I

My life poured out in service, to myself I die.