Writing some time after the other three,
gospel writer John
gives us a second resurrection story;
that of friend Lazarus, brother
of some women who made Jesus welcome
when he came to their little village.
Well, why not? If you’re going to believe
one resurrection story,
you might as well believe two.
Gospel tellers, by definition,
are custodians of an amazing yarn
which must be published abroad;
a telling of divine illumination
encompassing mysteries of compelling love
and undistinguishing grace. Of a man
who, in befriending the unlovely
utters a universe of hopeful sighings,
an ocean of bewildering embracings,
and mountains-full of wonder.
These four are artists,
ever-striving for the masterpiece
which will fulfil their kingdom calling
to cry aloud so that all may hear;
to sing their song of sad,
deep beauty that will lead the soul
to freedom and to joy. Metaphor writers;
they know the earth-bound limitations
of the clumsy words with which they paint
their eager canvases,
taking reassurance from their stories
of death and resurrection and trusting
in their strange and uncertain truth.
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