3. Stone

A second night now passing into day
First rays of dawn appearing from the depths
Of blackest night conceding to the light
Still distant but in time will spread its beams
Upon the earth to call all living things
To life again, their slumbers now complete.
Now on this morn, the guards still slumbering
Sense something new and unfamiliar
Nebulous dawn to their eyes accustomed
A faded blur of remnants of their sleep
Of dreams and visions, now a rumbling low
Disturbs their senses causing them to stir
With one last effort to erase the traits
Of night save for the guard who keeps a watch.
The light of rising dawn is now eclipsed
By terrifying blazing light sent from
The shores of Paradise, the earth now shakes
With violence unparalleled or so
It seems for blinding terrifying light,
Now mixed with thunderous mortifying roar,
Brings its full presence to the eyes of those
Who kept watch by the tomb to keep it sealed
From those, it was supposed, would steal away
The body of the Lamb of God to prove
The resurrection story as a truth,
As if mere human hands were needed for
A task so arduous for mortal strength.
Continuous lightning bold and loud and clear
Was the appearance of the angel of
The Lord now sent to roll away the stone.
His clothes were dazzling white, too bright for eyes
Of humans in the meagre light of dawn
Which paled compared with light of Heaven sent down.
Before the soldiers now the angel stood,
With sword unsheathed, a blade of scorching flames
And with the merest touch rolled back the stone
To fill the tomb with light once more as had
Yahweh when Jesus resurrected was
And took His flight to render Sheol’s gates
And bring that realm unto full submission
And empty it of power to hold in chains
The sleeping souls of those held long time past.
The soldiers, terror-struck, lay faint upon
The ground as if drained of all human life.
The angel, seated on the stone, became
A sight more bearable for those who came
To see the tomb, for in them lay the hope
Of resurrection of the Lamb of God.
Mary Magdalene and Mary, mother
Of Joses came and saw the angel there
Resplendent in the light so bright and pure
And seated on the stone. They looked away
In fear and trembling, for such sight had they
Never before seen, now were they struck dumb
At such a splendid and yet awe-ful sight.
Despite his appearance, in gentle tones
The angel spoke to them to reassure
Their fearful hearts. So spoke he unto them:
“Come rid your hearts of fear, be not afraid
I have been sent by Yahweh God to take
The stone away from this cold, empty tomb.
For well I know that you are looking for
Jesus, the Lamb of God, the crucified.
He is not here, for Yahweh raised Him up
As Jesus himself testified to his
Disciples, so I testify to you.
Come, see the place where once His body lay.”
On hearing gracious invitation they
To their amazement saw there in the tomb
Nothing but cold and crudely hewn out rock
Lit by the angel’s dazzling radiance.
No evidence of death but on the slab
Linen cloths rolled up neatly and in place.
The women came out of the tomb and stood
Close to the angel, their fears wiped away
And in his face saw kindness, gentleness
And goodness as do all Yahweh’s creatures
Who live with him by faith and in the realm
Of blessed abode, the shores of Paradise.
Then spoke the angel once again to them:
“Go quickly now and tell His disciples,
‘Risen is He from death, its iron grip
Now laid waste, its power gone for evermore.
Jesus is going now ahead of you
To Galilee, and you will see Him there.”
And with one final word, the angel said:
“My mission is complete, I have told you
What I was charged to tell you, go now I
Back into Paradise, my work is done.”
The angel vanished from their sight, it seemed
As if no time at all had passed while they
Were in his presence. Trembling still and yet
Full of the joy of the Lord they did run
From the tomb to the disciples to tell
Them of the good news that Jesus was now
Arisen from the dead, but now as if
From nowhere unto them did Jesus stand
Before them and uttered one word. He said: “Greetings.” Then came they unto Him and clasped
His feet and worshipped Him. He said to them:
“Do not be afraid, go to my brothers
And tell them to go unto Galilee.
In truth I tell you, they will see me there.”
Obedient to His command they went
To the disciples, and as they did so,
Back by the tomb some of the guards went to
The city to report on what they had
Seen and experienced to the chief priests.
On hearing this, the chief priests they then met
With the elders, a devious plan to set
A plan well based on lies and bribery,
Whereby the soldiers, with their purses filled
With money from the chief priests and elders
Were told to say that the disciples of
Jesus came in the middle of the night
And stole his body away while they slept.
Assurances gave they also to them
Of their safety if then the governor
Were to hear of these events that took place.
Armed with these lies and money they did as
They were instructed, and this falsehood was
Spread among the Jews then and to this day.