Was this human love

When Christ spoke to them
in that upper room
after the washing,
the breaking of the bread
a new teaching, a new command
after the betrayer fled
headlong into that night

What He said, the new law
changing the ancient words
not just to love, to merely love,
to love our neighbors as ourselves
no, to go much further, beyond,
to love in the way Christ loves us
words best understood after the resurrection

Was this human love,
because Christ was fully human
the carpenter’s son, the heir of David
choosing to be baptized, at the Jordan
commissioned by God, the dove descending
walking with them, by the sea
calling them to follow

Is this something we can attain
can we love as Christ loved
submitting our all to God
holding nothing back, no fingers crossed,
hedging our bets, relying fully on Jesus
the Spirit living within us
was this human love

We fail, we stumble, we run away
denying God, betraying, going astray
yet we can submit, can offer
God our lives, our promise
to strive to reach that goal
not in this life, perhaps
and seek to follow our Master

February 10, 2012
John 13:34
John 13:31-35
John 13:31-38
Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial
John 13:31
Luke 10:25-29
Good Samaritan
Leviticus 19:18
John 13:13-15
Jesus Washes the Disciples
1 Corinthians 11:1
1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1
Psalm 51
Philippians 4:9
Psalm 119:108
Psalm 119:97-109
bible study with Jean Anocibar on February 9, 2012
bible study with Jean Anocibar on February 2, 2012
Hebrews 2:5-18
Jesus made fully human
Bible study with Jean Anocibar, January 24, 2012

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 15,580+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live.