Splinters

Splinters

Called a Nazarene and many names besides,
He grew up in Palestine and walked the land of God.
With a craftsman's eye he worked the lathe
and splinters of a new creation pierced his hands.

From the shores of Galilee dusty feet went walking.
A rabbi with authority no-one else had known.
Healing on the streets, the sick, the blind, the lame.
And splinters of a revolution pierced their minds.

All hail the lamb
And the Lion of Judah
brings shalom into present tense
He is heaven-sent
Hallelujah

And on a mountainside the sun was beating down on all who gathered
to hear the teacher say,
"If you turn to them your left cheek you will be their equal"
and "Go the second mile with your oppressor",
"and if they sue you for your tunic, give them your cloak as well,
for the naked truth will stand acquitted
and the foolish shame the wise."

In temple courts he turned the tables on them all.
A brood of vipers stood, aghast, afraid, their backs against the wall.
Bought for silver pieces, the tree of life now hung in death
and splinters of a crucifixion pierced our hearts.

All hail the lamb
And the Lion of Judah
brings shalom into present tense
He is heaven-sent
Hallelujah

In a garden, the sun's rays shining through his wounds,
He stood talking with Mary, her eyes were opened and she understood.
There before her stood the new creation
and splinters of a resurrection pierced our lives.

All hail the lamb
And the Lion of Judah
brings shalom into present tense
He is heaven-sent
Hallelujah



copyright Sarah Packwood, July 2005