I am trying a new website creator. Not sure I like it, but it will do for now. Holy Week is the most important week in the Christian year. Much was happening, much is mirrored in our personal lives today. Here is this collection of poems as they have been completed. Please feel free to comment in the section above. My prayer for you, though I don't know who you may be, is that you and the Father will be one in Jesus Christ our Lord and be led, blessed by the Holy Spirit each day as you in turn bless others. If I can pray for you in a particular way, please let me know. These poems will eventually be published in the book series, Sleepless Musings by d. cross riggs, through Amazon, KDP Direct. Vol. I is currently in print.
Danny
Holy Week
Hosanna, the crowd yell and sing
the King approaches, praises take wing
All people, all nature, all creation
in this hour of magnificent anticipation!
Monday, Jesus confronts the fig tree bare
His curse, a withering affair
a lesson for humanity, heed God’s sign
fruitless paths lead to death, to decline.
Tuesday, Jewish Inquisition wants to know
Who is Jesus? Whose authority does he show
the answers they dread, truths fear
God’s refining fire may soon draw near.
Wednesday, misguided betrayal’s bite
wrongs to be done in shadows of the night
thirty pieces of coin, a price steep
Holy blood to spill, secrets to keep.
Thursday, at the table, the betrayer revealed
the covenant of bread and cup sealed
a lesson for the morrow, sorrow’s embrace
shadows lengthen, hope fades for human race.
Friday, total humiliation, pain indescribable
no one sees the cross as desirable
cleansing blood flows. This is redemption’s cost
in divine darkness, all hope seems lost.
Saturday, silence in the cold grave
disciples miserable, no longer bold, brave
past lessons forgotten, hopes burned
in quiet stillness, faith’s embers yearned.
Resurrection day dawns, a radiant morn
Jesus emerges, death’s chains torn
Victor over the grave, His reign secure
He is alive, the heart sing Hallelujahs pure!
Today, a miracle still awaits seekers bold
just as then, in a week, redemption unfolds
resurrection’s promise, eternal, deep
those who seek, in faith to Jesus arms leap!
d cross riggs ©️ 24 March 2024
Holy Week - Monday
Genesis, Creation’s marvelous story
God spoke, it then was a hit
even now the heavens declare his glory
though the arrogant man misses it.
God’s command to Creation multiply
fruitful applies to man, flower, and to tree
God said, so we need not ask why
yet, the logic of this modern man does not see.
Jesus saw the fruit tree, barren and bare
He cursed the tree
which doesn’t mean He didn’t care
the tree withered, for it could not flee.
A curse on the fig tree or a lesson for us?
both is a probably answer
He didn’t do it to make a fuss
for disobeying God is a deadly cancer.
Thus the lesson for Holy Week’s Monday
God is serious about death and life
but humankind prefer fun and play
then wonder why this world has strife.
d cross riggs ©️ 25 March 2024
Holy Week, Tuesday
On Tuesday, the Jewish Inquisition’s veil descends
leaders seek answers, hearts unbend
who is this Jesus? Whose authority does He wield?
the truth they fear, God’s refining fire to conceal.
The miracles! give an explanation they ask
Jesus' voice, resonant, authority, takes on the task
did the people grasp secrets beyond abililty
it would upset life’s tranquility.
Each Pharisee harbored personal sin
only Jess discerns the truth within
A pit of vipers! Perhaps not from their birth
but self-purified, filled with unholy worth.
With calm, He answered. His depths revealed
those self-righteous souls, were unsealed
He laid their core bare
self-righteous hearts, they simply didn’t care.
Holy Week Tuesday, let us gaze inward
confess our sins, forgiveness sought, heard
extending grace who sin against us
Holy Week’s essence, a divine compass.
d cross riggs ©️ 26 March 2024
Wednesday - Shadow of Betrayal
Wednesday, Holy Week shadows lengthen
Judas wants Jesus’ power to strengthen
driving the Romans into the sea
Jesus, a different purpose, a different decree.
Attaining one’s heart’s desire
an ancient longing, a modern fire
deceit, trickery, stealth, Satan’s art
disregarding God’s sovereign heart.
Jewish leaders tremble at this upstart
Jesus evokes fear in their heart
He must die for their survival
traitorousness lies in Jesus’ inner circle.
How much? When? the calculating is stark
plans laid, shadows in the dark
modern Christians also plot, sway
denying God, their own desires they weigh.
Judas, like modern man, lacks foresight
foul deeds have a ripple effect in the twilight
Earth’s darkest day looms two days ahead
the goal is to leave God’s hope dead.
Holy Week unfolds, betrayal has a face
as it does today, in time and space
yet, redemption waits, the cross the price
victory not in shadows, but in Jesus’ sacrifice.
d cross riggs. ©️ 27 March 2024
The Last Supper
The Last Supper, etched in history’s scroll
Jesus’s plan will touch each soul
thought the meaning eluded, veiled in mystery
The event holds a cherished place in history.
Bread! Bread! from the desert’s exodus so dry
nourishment that even gold cannot buy
secrets known only to God’s loving heart
in each life, it is a sufficient start.
The cup, not mundane, brims with significance
is vital, it has no insignificance
Jesus said, “This is My blood, shed for you”
making your sins white, through and through!
Judas, the Betrayer, treachery coiled within
knowing that Jesus knew of his sin
“Do what you must! a command, not a plea
reflecting our heart’s secrets, that God does see.
“This is My body! This is My blood!”
My redemption wipes away sin as did the flood
“Come, follow Me!” He calls to each of us
be a man, a woman, don’t be a wuss.
So, at the table we gather. With bread and wine
preparation for an eternity so fine
when we eat and drink with Him, face to face
impacted by God’s love, by His grace!
d cross riggs ©️ 27 March 2024
Friday to Saturday of Holy Week
Crucifixion’s curtain falls, darkness weeps
Temple’s veil, torn asunder, whispers secrets
earth trembles, soldier’s lips confess
“Surely this man was the Son of God!”
His lifeless body, cradled in borrowed stone
tears, fears, disciple’s hearts adrift
lost in sin’s tempest, where virtue bleeds
good slain by the product of evil’s seeds.
Jesus, undeterred, descends to Hell’s abyss
preaching the Gospel to skeptics, defiant souls
they yearn for God’s throne, reject His name
does heaven wait for destiny’s script.
On earthly shores, ignorance veils eyes
Jerusalem, unaware of impending dawn
in modern times, echoes of mystery persist
the sage discerns Easter’s whispered promise.
Where is the Amen? Does silence mock our faith?
or weaves a tapestry of hope
deluding not, beckoning toward eternity’s embrace.
very soon, life eternal shall rise triumphant!
The first Adam brought sin, death, and strife
the second Adam, Jesus, forgiveness, peace, and life.
d cross riggs ©️ 29 March 2024
Resurrection Morning
Oh, ye of little faith, the echo resounds
a borrowed tomb
its confines a temporary dwelling
reserved for a weekend’s fleeting breath.
The disciples didn’t perceive, no rumor whispered
ressurection’ s pulse thrummed in prophecy
the Master’s words etched forever
those who mourned felt sorrow, not in vain.
The stone rolled away! Guards flee in terror!
burial cloth, neatly folded
dawn kisses the sepulcher’s threshold
He was gone – risen triumphant!
Miracle! An act of God, woven through time
ancient promises fulfilled
man’s fate, no longer Hell’s abyss
the door, Jesus, is open for all to embrace.
The cry of “then” echoes across to our “now”
Christ Jesus lives! Breathes! He Is Alive!
trust in Him, eternal life unfurls
our Creator’s gift, whispered through the ages.
Sound the trumpet, let the anthem soar
the great I Am remains, forevermore
giving humanity hope’s radiant dawn
peace, love, an eternal oneness with God.
Easter transcends bunnies, eggs, bonnets
it beckons to redemption, forgiveness
a new way of living, not merely forgiven
also to be forgiving, divine love to be living.
d cross riggs ©️ 29 March 2024
Easter Day Plus 1
Easter is over, an amazing story
compassionate love, gritty, gory
miracles, betrayal, fears, tears
triumphant victory with cheers!
A dramatic slice of human life
the bonding, the strife
between persons, within each one
ongoing, till life is done.
Easter is over, the drama continues
it is part of divine venues
stones are rolled away
Satan still has his devilment to play.
Jesus walked out of the tomb
told His followers to bloom
in faith, obedience, and sacred duty
wrapped in hopes and dreams, truly.
Jesus, laughing, loving Jesus' call
is to follow Him, to give our all
life in heaven begins on earth
when we have our spiritual birth.
d cross riggs ©️ 1 April 2024