“Twin” A Poem for UBC
4-19-20
A long time ago in a place called Nazareth
A rabbi emerged with a new teaching on Sabbath
His name is Jesus, He is the son of God
If you find that impressive prepare to be awed
His mom was named Mary; she was a virgin
How did this happen? A metaphysical surgeon
Like Rabbis are oft prone to do
This teacher went looking for a crew
He settled on twelve, one for each tribe
Every individual unique with his own vibe
They were
Peter the rock, who Jesus gave the keys
He’s often considered the greatest of these
Andrew his brother who was called first
Finished behind Peter, which is just the worst
James of Zebedee a son of thunder
The first to die, makes you wonder
His brother John, known as an apostle
He wrote Revelation and the 4th gospel
Alpheus had two sons, one was James
Sawed in pieces, he didn’t play games
The other was Thaddues also called Jude
That’s about all we know of that dude
Levi known as Matthew was a collector of tax
But we’ll forgive him because we’ve all got cracks
The eunuch was converted because of Phil
Baptized on the spot, what a thrill
There was Bartholemoew also known as Nathaniel
The only thing that rhymes with that is cocker spaniel
Don’t forget about Simon the zealot
There was trouble with Rome and he could smell it
Then there’s Judas whose known to betray
“God have mercy on his soul,” I pray
That leaves one to discuss this Easter week two
His name is Thomas, and he leaves us something to chew
There’s a lot in this story, I don’t know about
But let’s start with the obvious; he’s famous for doubt
The doors are locked and the windows are sealed
when Jesus appears like Dave Copperfield
The disciples were locked up for fear of the Jews
But Jesus says, “Peace, I have good news
Dead for three days, I was down and out
But suck it Satan, you’ve lost this bout
Just to be sure check out my scars
Those nails and thorns left some good mars”
The disciples looked and what did they see
It was in fact Jesus, “Rejoice and Yippee!”
Then Jesus breathed his God breath of life
And the Holy Spirit pierced them like a knife
Jesus said forgive sins and they are gone
Or you can hang onto them, but that’s just wrong
break
An important part of this story you must know
Is that Thomas wasn’t there for this part of the show
Where was this doubter, out looking for a fix?
He’s probably an ennea five with a wing six.
The others told him about what he missed
An encounter with risen Jesus, what a twist!
Skeptical Thomas didn’t believe
Instead he wanted to be left to grieve
“Unless I can see and touch his scar
I have to believe you saw a ghost from afar”
Well a week went by and not much changed
Thomas listened but his hesitation remained
The disciples were gathered back in their locked house
No one could get in, not even a mouse
But then who should appear in magic act two
Jesus was back and his peace he gives to you
Jesus said, “touch my hands; touch my side”
Thomas did, and his eyes opened wide
Astonished He confessed, “My Lord and my God
You’re looking great in this resurrection bod.”
Jesus replied, “you believe because you behold
But blessed are those who are only told.”
Thank God for Thomas the patron saint of the hipster
Those who are confused and prone to be a resister
You see I think Jesus’ story appears suspicious
To good to be true, it feels a bit fictitious
Water to wine, mud to vision
Walk on water, exorcism
Healing the blind, the lame walk again
Dead back to life, hosanna and amen.
But that’s just His story, what about the rest
Manna from heaven, Gideon’s test
Swallowed by a fish, parted the sea
Wish you could watch it on YouTube TV
Truth be told I can think of reasons to doubt
Not least among them spiritual drought
But even if you’re good and full of God’s zeal
You have to admit there’s a lot God could heal
Let’s start with this virus that kills the air sac
Or that we live in a world with Nickelback
6 million Jews died in concentration camps
Some people can’t eat even with food stamps
The world is being destroyed at an alarming rate
And people are hated if they aren’t straight
Children are in cages down on the border
Pawns in a system of political disorder
Bodies are sold as if that’s the norm
Assault is excused with promise of reform
These problems though they have a theme
Humanity is responsible it would seem
But what about the problems you can’t pin on us
Like tsunamis, earthquakes and a weird virus
And the problem is really much more you see
We have violence in nature and entropy
Even if we could all get along together
We know that universe won’t last forever
I know what you’re thinking; it’s because of the fall
But if I read Genesis 3 that’s not there at all
But all of that doubt is about evil
That says nothing of the science upheaval
The enlightenment ushered in moderNISM
Which seemed to create a faith/science schism
It started with Copernicus comma Nick
Who suggest that the universe was heliocentric
Years later Galileo would support the theory
And the church’s response made people leery
There was Darwin who became evolution’s commentator
And suddenly people weren’t sure that they needed a creator
Marx said religion is the opium of the people
With the primary function to make economic sheeple
Nitsche was similar; he had his own critique
Religion was there to celebrate the weak
Science kept moving forward doing its thing
Eventually people thought God was a make believe king
You might be wondering “Why has Josh written a po’em?
This whole effort seems a little below him?”
If I’m honest it’s because I’m trying to hide
Thomas' story has touched something inside
This year has been hard and I’m not sure why
But it seems prudent to let my apprehension testify
I think it began when I watched my father depart
I could sense that something changed in my heart
Death has been around as long as life
But on that day it introduced new strife
It’s not that I was mad at God, only disappointed
The affections of my heart had become disjointed
So I began to wonder and I began to roam
I even stepped outside of my orthodox home
I made more friends that didn’t believe like me
I listened to podcasts and read books that disagree
And what did I find? I’m glad you asked
The same Jesus I experienced was out there he’s vast
That will make you wonder though
About the bible and what’s okay to let go
Shellfish, mixed fibers and marriage laws
Gold jewelry, slavery and a divorce clause
How can I be faithful? Does God really care?
What if I believe something different? Do I dare?
I’m not saved by works, I’m saved by grace
But are wrong beliefs cause for losing my place?
All this confusion it can feel like a haunting wraith
But Tillich said, "Serious doubt is confirmation of faith."
So I return to that story of Jesus in that room
And I realize there’s so much I can’t assume
Like why Jesus picked his scars instead of throne
To prove he was back and not a clone
Our world is postmodern/ truth claims fall flat
Beliefs are subject to change like a thermostat
Makes me wonder if a throne would work
I bet not since politicians are beserk
So it seems to me the only power that could be real
Would come from a God who would suffer to heal
I suspect the scars are in invitation to you and me
To come join God in this counterintuitive intimacy
I should be honest and tell you doubt will remain
But even that can save us if we share in each other’s pain
I suspect that some of you are beginning to pray
That I would run out of things to say
So let me end this poem on a win
God anticipated this, you are the twin