This Man

Reflections on Jesus, written April 2011. The quotation at the end is taken from the words of the centurion looking on at the crucifixion, recorded in Mark 15:39.

This man has kind eyes and gentle hands,
Yet strong arms and a voice of authority.
This man stands tall, with confidence and dignity,
But shows nothing of arrogance or disdain.

This man is down-to-earth, easy to be with.
He makes breakfast on the beach, and brings the best wine to parties.
Yet this man can fast for 40 days;
There is a spirituality about this man deeper and more profound than any other.

When this man speaks, those listening hang onto his every word,
    spoken with wisdom and understanding.
This man's words can simultaneously be healing balm and double-edged sword.

This man heals the sick and gives sight to the blind.
This man can bring the dead back to life.

This man is unimpressed by fancy-worded prayers
   spoken for the benefit of those listening in.
This man is angered by heartless doctrinal pedantics.
This man is pleased with simple faith,
 and responds to desperate cries from the humble and repentant.

This man causes trouble.
He does not accept injustice, just because that's the way things are done around here.
This man boldly challenges the powers that be.
This man is a truth-speaker, not a people-pleaser.

This man loves his friends, and they love him.
This man's enemies want him dead, and he loves them too.
This man gives even to the ungrateful,
And pleads forgiveness even for the unrepentant.

This man is utterly selfless.

This man was put to death,
Yet this man is living.

"Surely this man is the Son of God."