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The Wisdom and Wit of Jesus

Poetic explorations by Gene Stecher

The poems gathered together here originated as contributions to the HODOS online community by Gene Stecher. They are published here with Gene's consent but he explicitly retains full rights as the creative author. You welcome to use them for personal study and worship, but they should not be published in any other form without the author's prior consent.

For ease of reference, the poems are listed according to the relevant item in the JESUSDATABASE project:

First Stratum (30-60 CE)
Second Stratum (60-80 CE)
Third Stratum (80-120 CE)
Fourth Stratum (120-150 CE)

To view the chosen poem, simply click on the related database item from the Table below.

 

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The following poems are not closely related to a specific item from the historical Jesus inventory and are therefore included at this point:

 

(1) A Father's Day card from Jesus

Dear Father
    You reacted lovingly to my disrespect,
        showing patience in spite of my distance.
    You ran to me in spite of my shame,
        throwing a party in the face of my guilt.
                    and so,
   
    Your name is revered in my heart,
         my life a display of your alternatives.
     I owe my strength to your bread,
         my stability to your law of forgiveness.
                            but,
    Test me not with Caesar's challenge,
         the cup drunk also by James and John.
    Yet, having  trusted me with everything,
        can I do any other than let life move on.
Wow Dad!  What a neat surprise!  A spiritual body!
    You're the best!

Reflections on the Prodigal, the Lord's Prayer, Gethsemene, Mark 10:39, John 13:3, I Cor 15.

 

(2) Your kingdom come

Impose your imperial rule, Father.
Excuse my demand, but
The widow who browbeat the Judge,
now she meant business.
(Lk18:1-8)

Can't feel full in the pangs of hunger,
(Lk6:21a, Mt6:11).
Can't laugh much in the throes of debt.
(Lk6:21b, Mt6:12).
Wouldn't even bring it up, you know,
but you gave the kingdom to the poor.
(Lk6:20,Th54,Mt5:3)

A rich man's camel
overburdened with goods
tries to squeeze through an opening
and scrapes off the wealth
to enter your domain.
(Mt19:24,Mk10:25,Lk18:25)

I'm becoming a little more comfortable with making demands:

Don't put up with an imperceptible drip.
(Th97:1-4)
Turn up the heat for the leaven, man.
(Lk13:20-21, Mt13:33, Th96:1-2)
Rain like hell on the mustard seed.
(Th20:1-4, Mt13:31-32, Lk13:18-19, Mk4:30-32)
Share that map of the field's treasure,
(Mt13:44, Th109:1-3)
and hide not the pearl bearing oyster.
(Mt13:45-46,Th78:1-2).
Raise the sickle for the harvest,
(Mk4:26-29).
and point that anti-demon finger.
(Lk11:19-20,Mt12:27-28)

Rub me
against the calculated passion of the assasin,
Grant me
the singlemindedness of castration,
Drive me
with the accountability of forgiven debt .
(T98:1-3,M18:23-35,M19:12a)

This cauldron when watched will not boil, and
people misinterpret the ingredients
spread out upon the earth.
Yet the Kingdom's scrapings, calculated passion,
singlemindedness, and accountability
boil wildly in their midst.
(Th113:1-4,Lk17:20-21).

 

(3) Ash Wednesday

[Sung to: He's Got the Whole World in His Hands]

I got all of God's kingdom in my hands,
    I got all of God's kingdom in my hands,
       I got the antidote for poverty in my hands,
            I got the whole kingdom in my hands.

But I ain't filled yet, will I ever get free,
    Yeah, I ain't laughing yet, gotta wait and see,
       The hate and exclusion, yeah it just must be,
            Reviling defamation just for me.

The son of man's associate, yes indeed,
    The prophet's inheritance that we all need,
       Leaping joyfully in heaven, for all to see,
            I've got the whole kingdom in my hands.

Consoled by your riches, your plate overflows,
    Laughter overcome by your weeping and woes
       Basking in the words of all who behold,
            You got that false prophet image to uphold.

Alternate kingdom interpretation (Mt. 5:3-12):

The poor in spirit, could it be true,
    Thirsting for righteousness, this isn't new,
       Peace and mercy, and undefiled heart,
            Gentle children will inherit the earth.

 

 

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FIRST STRATUM [30-60 CE]
Multiple Independent Attestation 1. Mission and Message 2. Jesus' Apocalyptic Return 3. Bread and Fish 4. Ask, Seek, Knock 5. Crucifixion of Jesus 6. Revealed to Peter 7. Of David's Lineage 8. When and Where 9. Who Has Ears 10. Receiving the Sender 11. Climax of Sins 12. Knowing the Danger 13. Two As One 14. Eye, Ear, Mind 15. Against Divorce 16. Supper and Eucharist 17. Resurrection of Jesus 18. Revealed to Disciples 19. What Goes In 20. Kingdom and Children 21. The World's Light 22. Prophet's Own Country 23. All Sins Forgiven 24. Blessed the Womb 25. Peter's Betrayal Foretold 26. Jesus Virginally Conceived 27. Forgiveness for Forgiveness (also #120) 28. Before the Angels 29. Descent into Hell Triple Independent Attestation 30. Revealed to James 31. First and Last 32. Hidden Made Manifest 33. The Golden Rule 34. The Sower 35. The Mustard Seed 36. Lamp and Bushel 37. New Garments 38. Serpents and Doves 39. Plant Rooted Up 40. Have and Receive 41. Trees and Hearts 42. Scriptures and Jesus 43. Blessed the Poor 44. Carrying One's Cross 45. Father and Son 46. The Tenants 47. The Rejected Stone 48. Blessed the Persecuted 49. Temple and Jesus 50. Harvest is Great 51. Into the Desert 52. Yoke and Burden 53. Knowing the Times 54. Dogs and Swine 55. Emperor and God 56. Lips Without Hearts 57. For and Against 58. John Baptizes Jesus 59. Blessed the Sad 60. Measure for Measure 61. Disciple and Servant 62. Spirit Under Trial 63. Saving One's Life 64. The Last Days 65. Pilate and Antipas	Double Independent Attestation 66. Wise and Understanding 67. Hidden since Eternity 68. Hidden from Demons 69. Faith and Mountain 70. Burial of Jesus 71. The Fishnet 72. Fire on Earth 73. Who Is Jesus? 74. Peace or Sword 75.The Harvest Time 76. Speck and Log 77. Two or Three 78. The Mountain City 79. Open Proclamation 80. The Blind Guide 81. Strong One's House 82. Against Anxieties 83. Seeking Too Late 84. On Hindering Others 85. Greater than John 86. Serving Two Masters 87. Drinking Old Wine 88. Patches and Wineskins 89. Hating One's Family 90. The Planted Weeds 91. Taken or Left 92. Knowing the Mystery 93. On Secrecy 94. The Rich Farmer 95. The Feast 96. Blessed the Hungry 97. The Disputed Inheritance 98. The Pearl 99. Treasure in Heaven 100. Jerusalem Mourned 101. Foxes Have Holes 102. Inside and Outside 103. Give without Return 104. The Leaven 105. Jesus' True Family 106. Fasting and Wedding 107. The Lost Sheep 108. The Treasure 109. Hour Not Come 110. A Leper Cured 111. Invocation without Obedience 112. Jesus' New Teaching 113. Eating with Sinners 114. Love Your Enemies 115. John's Message 116. Jesus Tempted 117. Better than Sinners 118. Judgment for Judgment 119. Distant Boy Cured 120. The Lord's Prayer [several poems] 121. Beelzebul Controversy 122. Request for Sign 123. The Body's Light 124. Honors and Salutations 125 Gnashing of Teeth 126. Salting the Salt 127. Sickness and Sin 128. Walking on Water 129. Blind Man Healed 130. Dead Man Raised 131. Mocking of Jesus	Single Attestation 132. A Sowing Miracle 133. Vision of Jesus 134. Spirit as Mother 135. Joy in Love 136. Grieving Another 137. John's Warning 138. Tree Cut Down 139. Jesus Tempted Thrice 140. The Other Cheek 141. As Your Father 142. Rock or Sand 143. Reply to John 144. Wisdom Justified 145. Leave the Dead 146. Looking Backward 147. Lambs Among Wolves 148. Cities of Woe 149. Good Gifts 150. By Whose Power 151. The Returning Demon 152. Judgment by Pagans 153. Tithing and Justice 154. Like Graves 155. Helping with Burdens 156. The Prophets' Tombs 157. Wisdom's Envoys 158. Whom to Fear 159. God and Sparrows 160. Heart and Treasure 161. Master and Steward 162. Before the Judgment 163. The Narrow Door 164. The Closed Door 165. Depart from Me 166. Patriarchs and Gentiles 167. Jerusalem Indicted 168. Kingdom and Violence 169. Not One Iota 170. Woe for Temptation 171. Reproving and Forgiving 172. Unlimited Forgiveness 173. Faith's Power 174. As with Lightning 175. As with Noah 176. As with Lot 177. Corpse and Vultures 178. The Entrusted Money 179. On Twelve Thrones 180. Pilate's Questions 181. The People Repent 182. Jesus' Tomb Guarded 183. Crowds Visit Tomb 184. Transfiguration of Jesus 185. The Guards' Report 186. Apostolic Grief
SECOND STRATUM [60-80 CE]
Multiple Independent Attestation 187. Righteous and Sinners 188. The Unknown Time 189. Better Not Born Triple Independent Attestation 190. Fishing for Humans 191. Leader as Servant 192. Woman with Ointment 193. Pharisees as Blind 194. Flesh and Spirit. Double Independent Attestation 195. Woman and Birth 196. From the Boat 197. Herod beheads John 198. Millstone for Temptation 199. Kingdom and Riches 200. Hundredfold Reward 201. The Chief Commandment 202. Son of David 203. Prayer against Temptation 204. Living Water 205. Not Taste Death 206. Knowing Oneself 207. Buried and Resurrected 208. Life and Death 209. The Bridal Chamber 210. Place of Life 211. The Day's Evil 212. Blessed for Doing	Single Attestation 213. John the Baptist 214. Kingdom and Repentance 215. In Capernaum's Synagogue 216. Simon's Mother-in-Law 217. Healings and Exorcisms 218. To Other Places 219. Grain and Sabbath 220. Lord and Sabbath 221. Hand and Sabbath 222. Crowds are Cured 223. Demons are Silenced 224. Twelve Disciples Chosen 225. Interpreting the Sower 226. Hear and Heed 227. Speaking in Parables 228. The Gerasene Demoniac 229. Two Women Cured 230. Among the Villages 231. Herod on Jesus 232. The Disciples Return 233. Healings at Gennesaret 234. Unwashed Hands 235. Commandment and Tradition 236. What Comes Out 237. Distant Girl Cured 238. Deaf Mute Cured 239. Leaven of Pharisees 240. Passion-Resurrection Prophecy 241. What Profit? 242. Life's Price 243. Some Standing Here 244. Elijah Has Come 245. Possessed Boy Cured 246. Stranger as Exorcist 247. Cup of Water 248. Hand, Foot, Eye 249. Salted with Fire 250. Salt and Peace 251. Jesus to Judea 252. Moses and Divorce 253. The Rich Man 254. Jesus' Baptisms 255. Raised Man's Family 256. Healing of Bartimaeus 257. Entry into Jerusalem 258. Entry into Temple 259. Bethany at Night 260. Cursed Fig Tree 261. By What Authority? 262. On the Resurrection 263. Widows' Houses 264. Widow's Mite 265. Within this Generation 266. Plot against Jesus 267. Judas Promised Money 268. The Passover Preparation 269. Jesus Arrested 270. Priest's Question 271. Peter's Three Denials 272. Release of Barabbas 273. Simon of Cyrene 274. Women at Crucifixion 275. The Empty Tomb 276. The Great Torment 277 Purification by Water? 278. Man and Child 279. In Your Sight 280. On Telling Lies 281. Man and Lion 282. Two and One 283. Fasting, Praying, Almsgiving 284. Your Father 285. Beginning and End 286. Before One's Creation 287. Stones and Trees 288. Children in Field	Single Attestation (cont'd) 289. The Chosen Few 290. Love Your Brother 291. Fasting and Sabbath 292. Drunk, Blind, Empty 293. Flesh as Poverty 294. Desire to Hear 295. Become Passers-By 296. From My Words 297. Horses and Bows 298. Unity and Mountain 299. Solitary and Elect 300. If They Ask 301. The True Circumcision 302. Superior to World 303. Blessed the Sufferer 304. Take Heed Now 305. Samaritan and Lamb 306. Jesus and Salome 307. Knowing the All 308. From Within Yourselves 309. The Cistern 310. Light and All 311. Stone and Wood 312. Riches and Power 313. Near the Fire 314. The Father's Light 315. The Primordial Images 316. Adam's Death 317. Body and Soul 318. Angels and Prophets 319. Then and Now 320. The Empty Jar 321. The Assassin 322. A Harlot's Son 323. From My Mouth 324. Finding the World 325. Finding Oneself 326. Flesh and Soul 327. Peter and Mary 328. Wise and Righteous 329. Renouncing Power 330. This Impoverished Cosmos 331. Stone and Word 332. Vision of God 333. The True Rule 334. Fullness and Deficiency 335. Living and Dead 336. Place of Absence 337. Love and Goodness 338. Treasures of Cosmos 339. The Perfect Victory 340. Love and Goodness 341. Faith and Knowledge 342. Reaching the Place 343. Understanding Everything 344. Your Father 345. Left Over 346. The Dissolved Works 347. Spirit and Light 348. Understanding the Works 349. Water into Wine 350. Jesus to Nicodemus 351. The Samaritan Woman 352. On the Father 353. Bread of Life 354. Division over Jesus 355. Jesus at Tabernacles 356. Blindness and Sight 357. Life for Others 358. Feast of Dedication 359. Pagans Visit Jesus 360. Belief in Jesus 361. Hour of Glory 362. Prophecies of Disbelief 363. Jesus' Supper Discourse 364. These are Written
THIRD STRATUM [80-120 CE]
Multiple Independent Attestation 365. Giving and Receiving Triple Independent Attestation 366. Blessed the Meek Double Independent Attestation 367. Birth of Jesus 368. Genealogy of Jesus 369. Star of Revelation 370. Mercy for Mercy 371. Prayer and Forgiveness 372. Against Oaths 373. On Prayer 374. On Fasting 375. Binding and Loosing 376. Power of Prayer 377. Able to Receive 378. Called and Chosen 379. Exaltation and Humiliation 380. Suicide of Judas 381. Teach and Baptize 382. Gift for Gift 383. The Servant's Duty 384. Hate Hypocrisy 385. Faith's Final Profit 386. Faith against Sight 387. Place from Which	Single Attestation 388. Sermon on Mount 389. Blessed the Pure 390. Blessed the Peacemakers 391. Your Good Works 392. Not To Abolish 393. The Least Commandment 394. Greater Righteousness 395. Against Anger 396. Against Lust 397. Piety before Men 398. On Almsgiving 399. Gentiles and Prayer 400. Tomorrow's Anxiety 401. In Sheep's Clothing 402. Mercy Not Sacrifice 403. Israel's Lost Sheep 404. Give Without Pay 405. Cities of Israel 406. Master and Household 407. Reception and Reward 408. Teaching and Preaching 409. My Chosen Servant 410. By Your Words 411. Planted Weeds Explained 412. The Fishnet Explained 413. Peter Sinks 414. At His Feet 415. The Humble Child 416. Despising Little Ones 417. Church Excommunication 418. The Unmerciful Servant 419. The Vineyard Laborers 420. On Moses' Seat 421. On Titles 422. For a Proselyte 423. Against Casuistry 424. Gnat and Camel 425. The Last Judgment 426. The Kingdom's Scribe 427. Kingdom and Eunuch 428. The Two Sons 429. The Temple Tax 430. The Children's Confession 431. Conception of John 432. Birth of John 433. Jesus at Twelve 434. John's Ethic 435. Gentiles Preferred 436. On Sabbath Labor 437. Woe against Riches 438. Woe against Satiety	Single Attestation (cont'd) 439. Woe against Laughter 440. Woe against Praise 441. Condemnation for Condemnation 442. Widow's Son Raised 443. Having Rejected John 444. Women with Jesus 445. Inhospitable Samaritans 446. The Seventy Return 447. The Good Samaritan 448. Martha and Mary 449. Friend at Midnight 450. Adversaries Watch Jesus 451. Little Flock 452. Much and More 453. Repent or Perish 454. The Barren Tree 455. Cripple and Sabbath 456. Going to Jerusalem 457. Jesus and Herod 458. Dropsy and Sabbath 459. Place at Table 460. Inviting the Outcasts 461. The Tower Builder 462. The Warring King 463. Renouncing All 464. The Lost Coin 465. The Prodigal Son 466. The Unjust Steward 467. This World's Sons 468. Unrighteous Mammon 469. Faithful and Unfaithful 470. Exaltation and Abomination 471. Rich Man and Lazarus 472. Days Are Coming 473. The Unjust Judge 474. Pharisee and Publican 475. Salvation for Zaccheus 476. The Disciples' Confession 477. Jerusalem Destroyed 478. Two Swords Enough 479. The Promised Spirit 480. Ascension of Jesus 481. Action for Action 482. Kindness for Kindness 483. Only through Suffering 484. Gatherings in Preparation 485. Disciples find Jesus 486. Jesus and Nathanael 487. Jesus Baptizing
FOURTH STRATUM [120-150 CE]
Single Attestation 488. In the Beginning 489. Matthias Replaces Judas 490. The Heavens Opened 491. Kingdom and Fullness 492. Become Full 493. Kingdom and Cross 494. Head of Prophecy 495. Secretly and Openly 496. Go Before Me 497. The Palm Shoot 498. Ascension and Parables 499. Grain of Wheat	Single Attestation (cont'd) 500. Son Needs Father 501. On Persecuting Oneself 502. It Is Easier 503. Grief and Sorrow 504. Had It Been 505. Jesus as Intercessor 506. Intercessor Not Needed 507. Be Like Strangers 508. Soul and Flesh 509. Few in Heaven 510. Ear of Grain 511. House for Shelter	Single Attestation (cont'd) 512. To the Father 513. Who Are Not 514. Kingdom Becomes Desert 515. Being Like Jesus 516. Kingdom and Life 517. Thrice Blessed Ones 518. Small and Great 519. Chosen and Given 520. Wrath for Sacrifice 521. Adulterous Woman Forgiven 522. Later Markan Endings

 

 

 

 

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