One Among the Thorny Sayings

8.7.8.7. D

One among the thorny sayings

spoken by the Nazarene

is the call to self denial:

“Take the cross and follow me.”

Then he spoke in backward logic

we can scarcely comprehend;

“Those who lose their lives will save them.”

Hoarding has no dividend.

On the road the Twelve debated

who among them was supreme.

But the Savior’s knowing question

toppled their provincial scheme.

“If you would be first and servant,

you must be the last of all.”

Jesus’ holy mathematics

is a life-reversing call.

Then, to illustrate the sermon,

Jesus took a little one,

placing [her] within the  circle

where the teaching had begun.

“If you welcome little children,

if you greet them in my name,

you acknowledge God who sent me.

Let that welcome be your aim.”

We are still debating greatness;

our ambition is intense.

We deny the words of Jesus;

‘last’ and ‘losing’ make no sense.

Free our hearts, O God, to fathom

how our lives can be restored

if we live in true surrender

to our resurrected Lord.

©2006 John Thornburg