After the Tender Sacrament was Made

After the tender sacrament was made
Jesus raised His eyes Heavenward and prayed
"Father the hour is come
to glorify Thy Son
that, also, I might glorify Thee
I pray for them which Thou hast given me"

Then with the faithful apostles by His side
They crossed the Kidron Valley's divide
Climbed up the slope of Mt. Olivet
Onto Gethsemane (meaning olive press)

Here, gnarled trees to this day survive
As even in drought they give fruit and thrive
Providing much needed oil there to sooth
Unto this garden... the group did move

Jesus said, "All ye shall be offended because of me this night"
"For it is written...I the shepherd will smite"
Soon the sheep of the flock would be scattered abroad
They being the sheep... and He the Shepherd of God

Peter attempted to assure the Lord of his faithful devotion
His willingness to stand by the Master, he promised with emotion
Jesus said, "Before the cock crows...ye shall deny me three times"
With these heavy words... He then took Peter, James, and John into the night

Jesus became sorrowful and heavily weighed down
He asked "tarry ye here and watch with me," ...they sat upon the ground
For this was the night he would prove unfailing love for all of man
Eternally healing, like unto olives pressed... His blood ran

And this was the hour He was born and lived for
To feel the pains of every kind, age of time, and more
He left the three...perhaps there to witness what He'd say?
He, but a stones cast of a hundred feet away

"Oh, Father if it be possible let this cup pass," he prayed
Fallen upon His face as pain was increasingly laid
"Nevertheless, not as I will...
But as Thou wilt"

"My soul troubled and what shall I say Father?"
At this point...did the apostles shake hearing what He spoke, yonder?
..."Save me from this hour, but for this cause came I unto this hour"
Was this when an angel was sent with comforting strength to empower?

Finite minds cannot comprehend... how He withstood such misery
With naught to compare...His ransom is a mystery

The atoning Savior went to the three and found them sleeping
Too weak for but one night's watch...theirs for keeping
"Simon, sleepest thou? Could thou not watch one hour"
"Watch ye and pray lest ye enter into temptation," He said with power

A second time He distanced himself and prayed
"Father if this cup may not pass away..."
Then... accepted the bitter cup...
That the atonement might be made

Glory be to God that Jesus submitted that lone night
That we, weak in body, might be restored unto Light
Soon came His betrayal. A dawn of test awaited
Would He remain pure and forgiving though mocked, flogged, and hated?

Though a wooden cross and death were looming
His love for us and the Father was all consuming
As then would come the beautiful morning of the Lord's resurrection
When, for all, peace that surpasses understanding came through perfection

thoughts from
Son of Man
Susan Easton Black

Passover Week

Passover week was a joyous reunion always
Of all the others, for Jesus, this one was different
The scribes and the chief priests had plotted for days
And, He knowing, spoke that His death was now imminent

Yet, none could foresee this by the greeting
That He received while entering the city
A path of palms, the cloths, and hosannas so fleeting
For, lambs were nearby, as on the donkey He was sitting

One last Pascal dinner for Him remained
They were given a large secluded chamber
Commemorating Israel's deliverance so famed
They had unleavened cakes and herbs... bitter

The lamb was roasted on a pomegranate spit
Peter and John with the owner prepared everything
The room was made festive, the lamps were all lit
And...Jesus sat with the twelve and spoke of suffering

The meal was the Savior's to offer
He washed the feet of His disciples in the upper room
And said..."I have desired to sup with you before I suffer"
Judas Iscariot left and the meal resumed

He took the round unleavened bread
And blessed...and broke it, and He said:
"Take, eat- this is my body
This do in rememberance of me"

He then took the cup and gave thanks
Passing it around till each man drank
"This is my blood that will be shed"
Thus, teaching through every word He said

The miracle of His atoning sacrifice
In which He would bleed from each pore
Teaching that redemption came with a high price,
What it was in rememberance of and who it was paid for

He commanded: "Love one another as I have loved you"
As, He covenanted this comforting promise
"Peace I leave with you...my peace I give unto you"
There to not feel troubled if in their part they were honest

All His words had farewell undertones
And Peter asked-"Lord, whither goest Thou?"
"The hour cometh for my works alone,"
He responded. "Whither I goest, thou cannot follow me now"

thoughts from
Son of Man
Susan Easton Black

The Scribes and the Pharisees

The Scribes and the Pharisees counseled anew
Not with God...but with each other
If they let this Jesus continue
They'd lose their place to another

The men developed a plot of malice
Reasoning it would save their whole nation
This their best attempt to trip and surpass
They waited with ears, eyes, and lips in station

Jesus left...for His 'time' was not yet at hand
Journeying to Ephraim and the coastlines further away
Then... for the Passover, He went back to the holy land
Unto His sheep that had all gone astray

Traveling among the pilgrims in white
He saw curtains at hospitable doorways
As even strangers had a place for the night
And a Pascal lamb to eat that last day...

thoughts from
Son of Man
Susan Easton Black

Mary and Martha from Bethany

Mary and Martha from Bethany
Sent word of Lazarus
Jesus was needed urgently
As their brother was dying, thus

"This sickness is not unto death," He exclaimed
"But for the glory of God and the Son"
As, too, "Lazarus is dead," He proclaimed
Still...their four day journey had just begun

Upon arriving,noisy lamentations pierced the air
As chairs and couches were placed upside down
Evidencing all was not right in the dwellings there
Lazarus had been dead for four days, now

"Where have ye laid him?" Jesus asked
They went to a cave and rolled a stone away
And upon a living Lazarus their eyes cast
Many no longer doubted Christ after that day

thoughts from
Son of Man
Susan Easton Black

Will Ye Also Go Away?

"Will ye also go away?"
Jesus asked of His twelve
"Where would we go?" He heard Peter say
He, being their living well

From that time forth Jesus spoke
Of His ensuing death
Hanging over all like a heavy cloak
He was to become their Living Breath

As His ministry drew to a close
They saw of the Lord, added dimension
How oft shall we forgive- Peter proposed
Seventy times seven...He said...thus too many to mention

His words unleashed new blessings
There was promise for the vilest sinners
As only through forgiveness of transgressors
Will we come across in heaven as winners

This miraculous sermon on forgiveness
Was to be tested in the holy city
When a woman in adultery was witnessed
The scribe and pharisees saw their opportunity

By command, her fate was known
They challenged Jesus... wanting His judgement on this matter
"He that is without sin, let him cast the first stone,"
He answered...and they departed- their hopes shattered

They had thought the trap was set
For Roman law forbid casting
And Mosaic law did contradict
In the end, their own guilt...was proved lasting

The words of Jesus regarding the woman
Broke down the Pharisaic wall
Just as the shouts of Joshua and His men
Caused the walls of Jericho to fall

Who would not now come unto Him
For He truly invited rest and peace
Those who would believe and repent often
Could know the meaning of being truly blessed

thoughts from
Son of Man
Susan Easton Black

Again the Master Entered

Again the Master entered
Villages dotting Galilee
And to Him people ventured
As He healed all manner of disease

Pronouncing Himself come of heaven-
The Bread of Life that no man hunger
They refused His invitation given
Knowing His parents, He had lived under

The very people He'd fed on the plains
Of the city known for grinding mills
Shunned the words which Jesus proclaimed
As to the man of Living Bread... they turned their heels

After healing as many who reached Him
With each becoming whole... healing them all
They dealt Him only antagonism
He the son of Joseph... ever small

Gone was the awe of the throng
His popularity now had waned
In, this, the city of Capernaum
They'd not faith He was whom He claimed

thoughts from
Son of Man
Susan Easton Black

From the Well-Trodden Paths of Galilee

From the well-trodden paths of Galilee
Jesus and His disciples went to a desert place apart
But peace from the petitioners was not to be
For He had brought such hope to their hearts

Jesus healed more...as the day wore on
And evening shadows came across the plains
For each journeying home the road was dark and long
Two fishes and five loaves were gathered and He prayed

The assembled He caused to sit in ranks
In groups of fifty and even a hundred
Reminiscent of Israel and Moses long ago
The multitude of Bethsada He miraculously fed

After all were satisfied from the peasant meal
The leftovers were collected in baskets
Is it a coincidence that twelve were filled?
Symbolic of the work, yea, of the Apostles

This day, prophecy was in fulfillment
For, in the Lord's day, a meal, as Manna, was shown
Such that... when Jesus said, "Whom say the people I am?"...He meant-
Did they know their promised Messiah was now to be known?

Regardless, they desired that He
Were wont to be crowned as their king
Hoping, that from oppression, He'd save them
Not understanding the ransom He'd bring

"Whom say ye that I am?" Of the disciples, He asked
And it was Peter who answered, "The Christ of God"
Straightway... He sent the disciples unto a task
And the people homeward... that He might pray, alone, from all

Upon Leaving the Placid Sea

Upon leaving the placid sea
Unto Jesus many gathered for relief
And, He, without reservation to any
Gave His healing touch which was gladly received

Among the throng was one...Jarius
A synagogue ruler deep in need
For His daughter's health was precarious
And to go visit her...Jesus agreed

As they walked the distance
Many who suffered pressed against Jesus
And...He knew in an instant
When virtue had gone from Him, thus

"Who touched my garment?" He asked of all
Knowing that one of them had been healed
A woman came to Him and made herself small
Confessing and trembling as tears spilled

"Daughter, be of good comfort!" He said
Teaching that faith had made her whole
And He made way to Jarius' bed
Finding her dead, still he recalled her soul

What possible manner of man is this?
That not only the elements respond
But, the devils and dead take notice
Surely, one mightier could not be found

thoughts from Son of Man
Susan Easton Black
Son of Man

While Setting Sail

While setting sail for distant shores
T'wards the Gaderene countryside
Turbulent winds grew amidst a downpour
Frightening fishermen and disciples alike

The Savior's slumber was undisturbed
Despite the pitching of the sea
He slept peacefully and unperturbed,
Though all feared the craft was in jeopardy

Shouts were made to waken Jesus
"Master, Master! We're going to perish!"
He rose and calmed the mighty storm, thus
And caused them to marvel and cherish

Then, seeing the eastern shoreline
They ended their voyage in bliss
What miracle would Jesus do this time?
Truly, not a one wanted to miss!

It was not long before the answer appeared
As from the tombs a naked man came
And fell down before as slowly they neared
Saying, "Torment me not!" Calling Jesus by name

"What is thy name?" The Lord asked the crazed man
"My name is Legion, meaning many," he replied
"Please," they implored. "Send us into the swine...rather than
Turn us out to the lone countryside"

But, these creatures, once possessed violently ran
Off of a cliff, to a lake and were choked by the sea
While the lunatic went to Decapolis, a cured man
Such that, scared, some begged off the Lord... and they did leave

And so the rest crossed the watery deep
Without storm or noted incident
Each pondering how the Lord had tended His sheep
While, as a man of miracles, He became more evident

thoughts from
Son of Man
Susan Easton Black

Ever Jesus Felt the Need to Pray

Ever felt Jesus the need to pray
As He walked the earth among man
This, I pondered as in His name I prayed
Giving humble thanks that I can

May desire in me be more ignited
To be filled with Spirit and light
That from my past, I can be righted,
Turned toward God's will, and choose the right

thoughts from reading
Son of Man
Susan Easton Black

Bed of Afflictions

Who does not have a bed of afflictions?
Or vexing demons to be cast out
Thus to be made whole with new convictions
Desiring for goodness to be about

Let us, too, rise from our beds, praising
And desiring to sin never more
That, one day, on the Son of Man we'll be gazing
Giving thanks that our sins were paid for

thoughts from
Son of Man
Susan Easton Black

Venturing Forth

Venturing forth upon the byways
And the villages surrounding Galilee
Jesus was sought with wonder and praise
For He'd cured afflictions and maladies

Gone as well was the stigma of sin
Associated with each varied disease
Thinking Him but a worker of miracles, often
They still sought a Messiah, who was to bring peace

One time...a certain nobleman
Besought Jesus...that He would come
And, quickly heal His ailing son
Which Jesus did apart from Capernaum

To each who asked...He made them whole
Oft saying to go and sin no more
Ever He cleansed both body and soul
Even causing lepers no longer to mourn

And watching...judging...were the Sadduces
As they, too, saw Him heal on the Sabbath day
He was charged for working...a blasphemy
Thickening their plot, this young upstart to slay

Jesus, challenging their restrictions
Stated this holy day was for man
To become cleansed of their afflictions
Thus He healed by their faith and through command

But...they continued to not understand

thoughts from
Son of Man
Susan Easton Black

Leaving the Lone Wilderness of Judea

Leaving the lone wilderness of Judea
His ministry began at the appointed hour
Along the harp-like shore of Galilee
"The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand," He announced with power

The promised Messiah now walked among men
And called, "Come follow Me," for all the invite
Andrew and Simon left their nets and followed Him
They the first of many to walk in His Light

The first journey was to the city of Cana
Arriving in the midst of a wedding feast
Here He produced fruit of the vine...like Manna
The first of His many miracles... but not the least

For here was a foreshadowing of His blood
That soon would be pressed to atone
In agony... His outpouring love would flood
The greatest miracle to be shown

May we, too, be parched to thirst
That..like the ceremonial pots He filled
We may find Living Water never to burst
At His good news which cannot be stilled

thoughts from
Son of Man- Miracles of Jesus
By Susan Easton Black

Jesus Worshipped God in the Desert Terrain

Jesus worshipped God in the desert terrain
As He fasted and communed for 40 days and nights
Satan came to entice Him. But... He refrained
Ever His mission was fresh within His sights

To use His powers for carnal appetite...held no appeal
Though He could have changed stone to bread
This lacked luster compared to His fast so surreal
For His mouth should be holy as on the Word, He fed

Then Satan promised Him glory and power
Challenging Him to show what He was made of
But Jesus knew to not succumb in this hour
For should He prematurely expect angels to bear Him up?

His path was straight, His course was sure
Satan tried to lure Him with treasures and gold
But, what did He have need of, being refined and pure
Fathered and prepared by God- the truth be told...

thoughts from Susan Easton Black's
Son of Man volume II
Miracles of Jesus

Far From the Scenes- John the Baptist

Far from the scene of soft flowing linens
And self-serving embracers of religion
A lone voice from the wilderness was heard
"Repent and be baptist, prepare for the Word"

Many paid heed and cast off evil ways
With hope in their hearts they measured the days
Then, John the Baptist, while standing at the river
Spied a man, whom many thought a commoner

He was the Son of God, the very one of whom he'd taught
"I have need to be baptized of Thee," he said distraught
But, Jesus descended, ever beneath all things
For the fulfillment of righteousness eternally it brings

Then straight away as John pulled him out of the water
The heavens were opened, lo a dove, and the voice of the Father:
"This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased," He said
And Jesus entered the wilderness to be spiritually fed

thoughts from
Son of Man: Miracles of Jesus Vol II
by Susan Easton Black (Author),
Liz Lemon Swindle (Illustrator)

Matthew 3:13- 16
Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be
baptized of him.
But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee,
and comest thou to me? 3:15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer
it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness.
Then he suffered him.
And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the
water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the
Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: 3:17 And
lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am
well pleased.

The Ever-Present Power of Rome

The ever-present power of Rome
Was an empire none could ignore
From Africa to England and around the Mediterranean coast
It was to be obeyed, though repugnant and abhorred

The taxation decree was a demand
Which read that families must register
Each in their ancient, original land
Thus, it became Joseph and Mary's turn

But, by this time the first born was nearly due
And it was a ninety mile journey to Bethlehem
Upon reaching the hills that King David once knew
They discovered there was no room for them at the Inn

Could it simply have been for safety that as darkness came
The caravansary had closed its doors for the night
Now, their only choice were the limestone caves
As it became apparent the babe would soon arrive

Then, like generations of Jewish mothers before her
Mary wrapped the newborn in swaddling clothes
And, improvising, she laid him in a manger
Now, this would be a frightful night one would suppose...

But, very nearby was the Migdal Eder tower
Where shepherds guarded the sheep temple bound
Here angels came, to announce the birth, with power
As the glory of the Lord shone all around

The angelic declaration resonated
With the customs of the ancient Bedouin:
"We bring good news of great joy, for to you is born this day-"
There to proclaim, with praise: "and on earth peace, good will toward men"

How many caves they searched we know not
Till they found the babe lying in a manger
But it was a moment not a one forgot
For they now knew the saving Messianic answer

Yet, the story simply cannot end here
For what of the Romans who nearly ruled the land
Things became complicated as wise men appeared
For King Herod could see royal gifts at hand

Their visit was not for him but a babe he'd not heard of
A "rightful successor" to the throne, in fact
The king gathered all his chief priests and scribes thereof
Then told the wise men of Bethlehem to return on their way back

He, full of deceit, said he too would worship the king of us all
With kind words, the wise men left... their search was not hard
As they'd only to wait for the evening to fall
Having just come from the east following... a star

There, in a humble abode they found
The prophesied wondrous king
There, they offered their gifts to surround
That were not of a typical thing

For symbols of His royal destiny
The wise men brought gold to show His worth
Then temple incense for His role yet to be
And, last... the embalming myrrh for His eve of rebirth

We know not much of these special wise men
But, we do know they were truly inspired
For they were warned in a dream as they left Bethlehem
To do not as the Roman king had desired

But, sadly, when they failed to return
And in fact bypassed Jerusalem
A fearsome revenge soon started to burn
For truly King Herod now felt threatened

Gathering his soldiers about him
He ordered the slaying of children
All two and younger around Bethlehem
A hellish edict too painful to imagine

Of... mothers pleading for their innocents
Those who could barely walk or question why
How many we know not were disobedient
Like Zacharias who hid where his baby lie

How many heroes and heroines... we do not know
But we do know the Promised Babe had left
For Joseph and his family escaped in the night
He being warned by an angel, as he slept

The holy family crossed the wastelands of the Negev
And passed the Sinai deserts seeking respite
Unto safety in the land of pyramids to live
And blend in with other Jews along the Nile

Soon...King Herod's health waned and death stalked this despot
And he not wishing others to surpass his greatness
Divided his kingdom between three of the sons he'd begot
There to end his reign with a funeral procession... by far the greatest

But... still Jesus was kept afar in Egypt
As the family awaited news from God
Once again word came to Joseph as he slept
And they journeyed home to dwell on holy sod

Joseph sought a land ruled by the least of the kings
And turned aside into the parts of Galilee
Back to his place of birth and workings
Imagine, in Nazareth, the reunion of family!

And it was here Christ grew up as a tender plant
As a root sprung out of dry ground
Nurtured by extended generations at hand
Here, His increase of wisdom and stature was found

Each year the Feast of the Passover was held
Where was commemorated Israel's deliverance
Here, Jesus sat with the learned as the Temple Mount filled
And of Him, they were quite astonished at the experience

Young Jesus, at twelve, was declared a Son of the Law
And, as per custom of the Passover, was now granted
To sit and learn among His elders in the synagogue
But, instead, for days questions to Him were handed

Here, as men compared their bondage to Egypt
Did they realize who they had before them?
Or was this knowledge secretly kept?
Being Jesus' first pilgrimage to Jerusalem

And... this was when Joseph and Mary were reminded
As they lost sight of their son on the way back
That Jesus was to be ever spiritually minded
As traits of His Father became evident in fact

So... after a celebration of sacrificial lambs
Here, before all, He was being prepared for the world
Here was the beginning of His many life exams
And... here, His purpose was beginning to be unfurled...

thoughts from Jesus Christ - Son of Man- The Early Years
By Susan Easton Black

In an Espousal Ceremony

In an espousal ceremony
The solemn witnesses joined
For the words of betrothing
And the passing of a lone coin

The young maiden now was promised
The village rejoiced with her
But in time the groom noticed
His bride was to be a mother...

Joseph- a man with a kind heart
Wanted to act with chivalry
A public trial- he'd not start
But would put her away privily

Then... in a dream an angel bid him
And he took his betrothed unto him as wife
She bearing the son of God within
Needed him as the man in her life

His it would be to provide
And help rear the promised son
He of the lineage of David
Was to bring up the Royal One

Let the world now take notice
That Jesus did grow in stature
He being born of promise
Grew to His perfected nature

And of His earthly father
Let us too be assured
That with angels he oft dreamed
And his sacred role was treasured

Now this truly has more meaning
As one knows the customs of the Jewish bound
For the groom ends his search saying
"Come, see... the treasure that I have found"

Then lifting the veil of his bride's cover
As the villagers gather and exclaim:
"The government be upon his shoulder"
Giving him the rights for parentage to claim

He then escorts his new virgin bride
Unto a home of their own
With a festive procession to guide
The greatest family ever known

Some friends played music, others danced
The kindred waved myrtle- the symbol of love
"Take her according to law" were the chants
While encircled with a canopy above

The festive couple were then crowned with garland
And called respectively "king" and "queen"
This truly took on new significance
They unknowingly honored the greatest Being!

Thoughts from
Jesus Christ
Son of Man
The Early Years
by Susan Easton Black

Prophecy Was Made

Ancient prophecy was made
Then generations passed
To faithful hearts a promise lay
With signs for eyes to cast

A virgin birth
For one named Mary
She come to earth
God's son... to carry

Meanwhile... atrocities and war
Bondage.... Babylon, Egypt, Greece, then Rome
Conquered again and again...who was favored?
Then...He came... obscure and unknown

With His life
Came rebirth
Jesus Christ
Brought us new worth

Perfectly He led
Healed and discoursed
Spiritually He fed
As His life ran its course

thoughts from reading

Son of Man
Susan Easton Black