The Loving Eyes and Gentle Lines

I had a map once.  It was so nicely folded and easy to follow.  I was told the path was narrow, but it looked well-traveled to me.  I followed it for awhile, I think.

I looked for You in those crowds, but I hardly recognized You, Jesus.  But I found You—at least that’s what the map said.

Why such a sharp sword in that grip, Jesus?  I’d never seen You dressed like that before.  You sliced through crowds of people, demanding one was lesser than the other, because of their heritage.  You spat on political opposition and complained about the poor as if they were worthless.  Why did you do that, You broke my heart.

You yelled a lot that day.  Some of us hid, and we winced.  You scared us.

“No, Beloved,” I heard, “turn around.”

“Where, Jesus?  Where are You in this crowd?”

“Here I am, my Beloved.  I’m behind the crowd.  Do you see me?  I’m waiting here for you.  Let’s keep walking together.  I’ve got a great map with Me.”

“There You are, Lord, I see you!” I said. 

“Yes, here I am!”, said the humble man in the back with His loving eyes and gentle lines. I approached Him cautiously.  “Oh I’ve got wonderful things for you, Beloved,” He said with pride, as the crows feet around His eyes increased while His smile danced across His face,

“Oh, have I got wonderful things for you.” 

He pulled out His map.  It looked confusing.  I couldn’t understand it very well.  “Let’s find our way, what do you think, my Beloved?”  The word fell off His lips like a sweet morning rain.

"Yes," I said, watching the other Jesus figure, now seemingly a puppet following the crowd's gestures. "Yes, I would like that!"

We walked together, and left the puppet Jesus swinging his sword and shouting his cruelties.

I breathed a sigh of relief.  We smiled and took in the evening air.