But for the resurrection

But for the resurrection

by Joel Howard

All is limited

All are lost

But for the stains upon that cross

Always panting

Seeking, searching

Always ending

Leaving and never returning

Jesus was quiet

As all Man whipped him

First with words

And accusations

Tormented him

With loveless taunts

That was his first wooden "cross"

First the torture

Of off-beat thinking

Name-calling, reviling

Spitting, stinging

Crowned him with thorns

He one, they many

Overpowered him

Though he let them

We think we're strong when we 

Use our force

He thinks its stronger to love

Of course

But God became man

And died just like them

But for the glorious resurrection

Silence seems silly

Shameful and losing

Talkers who flaunt their

Tongues like lightning

Upon the backs of souls of men

We upon Jesus 

laid them then

Not 'til 'twas too late

Did man say

"Surely" he was God...

'Twas too late

But there's one ingredient

We're all missing

This: the glorious resurrection

Just like we're shut in 

in 2020

Must be like Jonah down in the belly

Yes, like Daniel there with the lions

And like Joseph in prison's tryings

Or like our Mary who bore the blame of

Virgin conception, tall her call was

Faced with oppressors just like Pharaoh

You, me like Moses persist to have faith

Martyrs a many gone before us

Felt like they lost 

At least so it seems to us

Jesus the first of oh so many

Who place not one bet 

On Man's tyranny

The opinion of Man like wind it is

I'd rather be staunchly set upon Him

Who tells that same wind 

Which way to blow

Join Him in praise or, same, sorrow

Who makes all stones alike to roll

I stake my claim in one who has risen

All for the glory of His resurrection!

His all the glory; Him who resurrected!