Bible In Poetry: Gospel Of St. Matthew (Chapter 28) Poem by Dr John Celes

When Sabbath day was over then,
And week’s first day was still in dawn,
Mary and Mary Magdalene,
Both came to see the tomb again.

Behold, there came an earthquake great,
An angel came from heaven’s gate,
And having rolled away the stone,
The angel sat upon it lone.

He appeared bright akin lightning,
And dressed in white, snowy clothing;
The guards with fear lay shaken then,
And turned at once almost dead men!

The angel told the two women:
‘You fear not for, I’m from heaven!
You search for Him, Jesus, I know,
The one who was crucified, Oh! ’

‘He is not here, right now today;
He has been raised from dead, I say;
Come see the place wherein He lay.
Go tell His disciples this, Aye! ’

‘Raised from the dead, He goes ahead
To Galilee ’fore you, He said;
You can all see Him there, behold,
And certainly, as I have told! ’

The women left the tomb in haste;
Their visit had not been a waste;
Afilled with fear and joy, they ran
To tell His disciples, Oh, man! ’

But Jesus met them on their way;
And greeted them like a great Fay;
They fell and paid Him homage then,
Embracing feet of His divine!

And Jesus said to them, ‘Don’t fear.
Go tell my brothers all you hear;
Ask them to go to Galilee,
And there, they can all well see me.’

When they were hurrying to see them,
Some guards had reached city’s gates,
And told chief priests, the happenings.

They counseled with the elders there;
They gave the soldiers money fair;
And warned them to tell everyone:
His disciples stole Jesus when
They slept at night, as wearied men!

‘They promised them that they would save
From governor, if they behave;
And satisfy his questions well,
And keep them out of great trouble.’

The soldiers took the bribe-money;
They did as they were instructed;
Among the Jews, this false story,
Was wantonly circulated.

The disciples all eleven went
To Galilee’s mountain, as sent,
As ordered by Jesus and saw
Him, worshipped but doubted, in awe!

Then Jesus came and said to them,
‘All pow’r in earth and in heaven,
Has been to me, accorded then.
You go therefore to all nations,
And make more disciples of men.’

‘And baptize them in Father’s name,
Spread Son and Holy Spirit’s fame;
And teach them follow my commands,
And carry out heaven’s errands.’

‘Behold, I am with you always,
Until the end of age, all days! ’

Copyright by Dr John Celes 6-16-2007