Author: Dr. Jim Moiso (with a few modifications)
Westminster Presbyterian Church, Portland, Oregon
See Dr. Moiso’s original at: http://westprespdx.org/public3/sermon/ala_dr_seuss_maybe
Bible Text: John 20:19-31 (“a la Dr. Seuss, maybe”)
Well,
1. They said at night it happened
and it was very scary.
The door was locked, it was secure
they thought from every worry.
2. So there they were in all their fear
when, suddenly: they spied him.
They saw, then, Jesus in their midst
and it did terrify them!
3. In shock they asked, How'd he get in?
He’s dead! What’s Jesus here for?
What could the wounded hands and side
be standing in this room for?
4. We knew our guilt. We all felt bad.
Love promised – and attesting.
But then we'd run, denied our part
when soldiers came arresting.
5. We got out quick, we got out fast,
so fast no one could catch ya.
Jesus the man, the one we knew,
they’d bound him tight, you betcha.
6. Then after that the time went slow,
and in the night they tried him.
Peter, alone, just stood around;
then quickly had denied him.
7. Well, we all had gone a-hiding
and we wondered what to do.
Our lives, our dreams were broken
and our God seemed absent too.
8. This rabbi had washed each friend’s feet
in the name of God above…
But death on a cross and suffering,
Does that fit this God of love?
9. No, saviors aren’t s'possed to die,
but save us with God's power.
Least that is what I used to think
before this strange encounter.
10. Gone was I the night he came,
I can't recall my deeds.
We had not trusted Mary's word,
"The Lord I've seen," said she.
11. Impossible. Preposterous.
How could she say such things?
Her pain – makes her imagine.
Her grief – it makes her cling.
12. And then he spoke, so they have said,
"Peace to you my friends."
They must have all looked startled then
‘cause "Peace" he said again.
13. Amazed, remembered they his word
the night before he died:
God's peace he'd bring to us in life,
our joy'd be multiplied.
14. Jesus then commissioned them,
those yellow-bellied ones –
the ones who'd hid in fear and grief…
so much like I had done.
15. He breathed on them the breath of life,
gave to all his very role:
to hurt with others, to serve in need,
facing death to make life whole.
16. I missed it all, the word, his breath,
his hands and wounded side, too.
I thought them in denial,
inventing things not true.
17. The group, they're dreamers, not quite real.
I try to use my head.
Doubter I'm not, I just want to know.
I need to know, I said.
18. I could not, did not trust them all
in matters of such faith.
I would not, could not trust until
my fingers touched each space.
19. But then a strange thing happened.
Why, Jesus appeared once more.
He came right up before me,
ne’er op'ning any door.
Yet,
20. I saw no blame within his eyes,
heard none upon his tongue.
Nor halo, or oppressive light,
just presence, wounds and love.
21. My knees they shook, my eyes were blurred,
a realist I’d always been.
Yet to his face I blurted out
"My Lord and God – you're ris’n!”
22. He looked around and then he smiled
and said direct to me,
“Blessed are all who have not seen
And yet still do believe!”23. This troubled world, it is our home,
God’s people, you and me.
It's not forsaken in God's eyes,
but blessed for ALL, you see!
Amen.