a poem in my pocket

son of the promise
carries bundle of kindling
for required sacrifice

his faithful father
bears heavier burden
of patriarchal love

a fire burning hot
in his chest rises to this
high pinnacle of trust

son willingly lays life
down, to be bound; back
arched on rough dry wood

wide eyes close tight
as boy draws a final breath,
bares his throat to the knife

trembling hand halts midair
when angel calls out
“Abraham, STOP!”

Look, the Lord provides
substitute ram for the altar;
its blood is shed instead

as a foreshadow of Christ,
when Father’s promised Son
comes as our Lamb of sacrifice

God’s covenant renewal
inspires radical obedience
which results in greater blessing.

____________

I first wrote this in 2020 for our church candlelight service of Lessons & Carols.