[128]. A Message From A Poem – His Hands, His Feet And His Brow

[128]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – HIS HANDS, HIS FEET AND HIS BROW

Introducing the Poem:

This poem underneath actually resulted from a true story. On 16 June, 1997 a news item came over the radio of an incident that happened in Saudi Arabia. This is the true incident:

[[A Saudi-Arabian woman loved her husband so much that she donated one of her eyes so that he could see. The operation was a success, but in only a short time he rejected his wife for another woman and divorced his wife.

Why, he was asked? Because, he said, he could not stand the sight of her without her eye!]]

Immediately on hearing this I penned the first and last stanza of this poem and a few weeks later, filled in the rest. My original two stanzas were entitled, “He Gave His All for Me,” and that led to further thought in the subject, and His feet, hands and brow became the concentration of the poem. When we see the Saviour, the scars and wounds He has are the love marks for us. How we love Him who endured the cross for us.

There may be some who think it strange to concentrate on the wounds in the Saviour’s person but I would add that the bible does that very thing. I think the film Passion of Christ went much too far though, and was not properly representative. I have never seen it by the way, just read reviews. Isaiah could write: {{“But He was pierced through for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, and by His scourging we are healed.”}} (Isaiah 53:5). This is followed by {{Zechariah 13:6 “And one will say to him, ‘What are these wounds between your arms?’ Then he will say, “Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends.”}}

Of course the well-known incident with Thomas who looked on the wounds in the Lord’s hands and feet and side, needs no mention. Although invited to confirm by touch, I don’t believe Thomas did that. (Version - NASB). In each pair of stanzas in this poem, the first stanza is the good and the stanza is the bad.

{{John 20:26-27 After eight days again His disciples were inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors having been shut, and stood in their midst, and said, “Peace be with you.” Then He said to Thomas, “Reach here your finger, and see My hands, and reach here your hand and put it into My side; and be not unbelieving, but believing.”}}

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HIS HANDS, HIS FEET AND HIS BROW

Blessed wounds of the Saviour

In His hands, His feet and brow,

Speak to me of love's endurance.

And tell how much I love Him now.

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Hands that made the universe;

Touched the blind, the lame and deaf -

Tireless hands that worked salvation,

Worked for others and not for self.

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Roughly-fashioned iron spikes,

Centred through His palms were nailed;

Displayed Him naked to the world,

For mankind’s sins He was impaled.

* * * * *

Feet that spanned the universe,

Walked in gentle steps, Earth’s ground.

Washed by Mary in devotion;

Carried Him where sinners were bound.

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Roman soldiers drove a spike -

Pierced His feet and anchored Him.

Knew nothing of the reason why.

Judgment and sins filled to the brim.

* * * * *

Glory of the universe;

On His brow that glory shines.

Perfumed oil that brow anointed;

Sweetness cascaded down in lines.

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Flexible lengths were woven,

By soldiers of coarse, sharp thorn.

Man’s diadem upon His brow -

Mockery! He, king they adorn.

* * * * *

Israel will ask Him one day,

Of the wounds in His hands and feet.

“Received in the house of My friends,

When all they showed Me was deceit.”

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Face and form were marred for me.

Bore my sins upon the tree.

E'en if His eyes He'd given for me,

I'd love Him for eternity.

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30 July 1997 R E Ferguson 7-7-8-8 Stanzas 1 & 9 done earlier