He could have walked the easy road
He could have walked the easy road
to fortune and to fame.
He knew he could work miracles,
to heal the blind and lame.
He could have fed the starving poor
with fish as well as bread.
But Jesus knew that life held more
and chose God’s word instead.
He could have trusted angels’ wings,
up on that Temple tower.
To save him from a fall to death
was well within God’s power.
The people would have marvelled then
and guessed this was God’s son.
But Jesus would not take the test
to prove he was that one.
He could have taken full control,
the world lay at his feet.
He only had to say the word:
his rule would be complete.
The mountain view had caught his breath..
Power was a word away.
But Jesus turned back from it all
and God had won the day.
Marjorie Dobson
Words © 2019 Stainer & Bell Ltd, London, England copyright@stainer.co.uk . Please include any reproduction for local church use on your CCL Licence returns. All wider and any commercial use requires prior application to Stainer & Bell Ltd.
Metre: CMDTune: KINGSFOLD
Poem: The time has come
As John had said,
‘the time has come.’
So Jesus,
bowing to the Jordan’s waves
and rising to the words
‘beloved Son’
and ‘well pleased,’
was willing to be made ready,
by desert trial,
to take his place
in the unfolding story
of God’s love.
But John
was soon in prison
for speaking out
too loud and long
for the comfort of the king.
And Jesus,
fresh from temptation
and life-changing choices,
set off for Galilee,
knowing that now was his time
to spread good news
and bring the kingdom of God
to the people for whom
it had always been intended.
No more waitng.
No more preparation.
Time to go …
©Marjorie Dobson
Jesus met supreme temptation
Jesus met supreme temptation,
countered subtlety with skill;
ever faithful to one purpose,
still committed to God's will.
With no food he soon was famished,
hunger racked him, filled his mind,
then a voice had come to taunt him,
'bread is there for you to find'.
Each illusion he would parry,
each temptation run to ground;
all the world was for the asking,
yet his faith was strong and sound.
Every miracle and wonder
he was tempted to perform
he rebutted, held the tension;
he would live beyond this storm.
And when we meet with temptation,
save us from each trial and test;
strengthen faith, God, give us courage,
help us strive toward the best.
Andrew Pratt (born 1948)
Words © 2010 Stainer & Bell Ltd, London, England copyright@stainer.co.uk .
Please include any reproduction for local church use on your CCL Licence returns. All wider and any commercial use requires prior application to Stainer & Bell Ltd.
Metre: 8 7 8 7
Tune: LOVE DIVINE (Stainer)
As glass will take the light – FOR COMMUNION
As glass will take the light
and focus all its heat;
here in the water, wine and bread
we find God's grace complete.
We met God's presence here,
our promises were sealed;
but all is lost, is null and void,
if love is kept concealed.
So in God's peace we go,
and in the Spirit's power,
to offer love in word and deed
in every coming hour.
Andrew E Pratt
© Words © 1997 Stainer & Bell Ltd, London, England, copyright@stainer.co.uk.
Please include any reproduction for local church use on your CCL Licence returns. All wider and any commercial use requires prior application to Stainer & Bell Ltd.
Metre: SM
Tune: CARLISLE
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