An Empty Tomb A poem of remembering - Easter morning In tenderness the cheek supports those tears, those praises freshly gleaned and yet eternal. Oh, that the heart forever could there weep beside the tomb, and there remember love’s true engagement with us all. His body lay there in the grave, his wounded head so still, the Word gone silent to our desperate hungry souls. Oh, see the empty place they gentle laid him down, anointed, wrapped, and shroud in death, as heaven shook and vanquished night, the death of death in his redeeming light. Love most extravagant, this rare and sacramental kiss, Jesus our eternal paschal lamb, offered once for all, a most exceeding gift, forever abrogating all our hopelessness and sin. Sweet risen Lord, the Christ of God, our true and certain hope, forever faithful and full loving advocate, unchanging, everlasting, my steadfast and abiding friend. Originally written as ‘Easter’ 5 December 1975, revised 25 January 2024
‘Death of death’ is the expression of English theologian John Owen from Salus Electorum, Sanguis Jesu; or the Death of Death in the Death of Christ, title of his book published in 1648.
A cascade of beauty-filled phrases....so to honor the Risen One. Love.
Thank you Henry! I pray God bless you in many ways!