Bible In Poetry: Gospel Of St. Matthew (Chapter 11) Poem by Dr John Celes

When Jesus had given commands to each,
He went away to towns to preach and teach.
When of his works, then John from prison heard,
He sent his disciples to Him and asked,
‘Are you the one to come or Messiah
Or should we be in search for another? ’

Jesus said, ‘Tell John, what you hear and see.
The lame can walk, the blind again can see;
The deaf can hear, lepers are cleansed truly;
The dead arise alive, the poor have peace;
Proclaimed is Good News to them poor with ease.
Blessed’s the one who takes no offence at me.’

Then Jesus told the crowds about John’s deeds:
‘In desert, simply dressed, on locusts feeds
A man called John, more than a prophet stayed,
To tell about God’s kingdom, God had made.’

‘This is the one about whom it is writ:
‘Behold, I send my messenger ahead,
He will prepare the way for you, unread.’

‘Amen, I say to you, of women born,
None can be greater than the Baptist, John.
The least in heave’n is greater than him John! ’

‘Violent are the days from John till now;
But, this has been prophesied from above;
He is Elijah, who’s one yet to come;
Whoev’r has ears to hear are most welcome.’

‘How can this generation be compared?
Like children in market-places who aired:
We played the flute but you did never dance;
We sang a dirge, but you ne’er mourned by chance;
Though John came neither to eat nor to drink,
They said he’s demonized with devil’s link’

About the Son of Man, they said, ‘O look,
A glutton, drunkard, friend of sinners, spook.
But wisdom vindicates all that they did.’

Then Jesus reproached towns which didn’t repent,
Although his great signs were done as He went.
‘O woe to Bethsaida and Chorazin,
Where mighty deeds were done, yet live in sin!
Had they been done in Sidon and Tyre,
They would’ve long back repented to admire.’

‘Will Capernaum be exalted to heav’n?
You’ll go down to the nether world, I say;
If mighty deeds done in your ’midst had been
In Sodom done, it would have still remained;
‘’Twill be more tolerable for Sodom,
On the Day of Judgment than for you all.’

So, Jesus said in reply, ‘Father Lord,
Of earth, heaven, although you’ve hid these things
From the wise and learned people of the world,
Yet, you’ve revealed them to the child-like ones!
For, such has been your gracious will, Father;
To me, from you, all things were handed o’er.’

‘And no one knows the Son, except Father,
And no one knows the Father except Son,
And ones to whom Son wishes to reveal.’

‘All over-burdened ones and who labor,
Then come to me, I’ll give rest that world can’t.
By taking my yoke on you, learn from me;
For, I am meek and humble of all hearts,
And you will find the rest for selves truly,
As light’s my burden and my yoke easy.’

Copyright by Dr John Celes 5-31-2007