Mark 1:1-13 Part 2 of 2

On the banks of the Jordan River,
I saw John preach at the peak of his ministry.
I wondered with the crowd, “Is this him so foretold?”

He then preached, his great voice booming forth,
“You repent, the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
His voice shattered the quiet of the wilderness.

He pointed to a group of Pharisees standing by,
“You offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from
Wrath to come! Produce fruit worthy of repentance!”

I stood shocked, trembling in my place.
Did he say that to the Pharisees? The devout.
How can I have any hope for grace?

A man asked for the crowd, “Teacher, what then must we do?”
John answered, “He who has two coats, let him give
To someone who has none.” I was pierced right through

I gulped remembering my great wealth locked away,
Taken from my neighbors, extorted by my own hand,
Locked away in darkness just like my soul.

“A man stood right by me, a soldier in his garb.
What of me, must I leave my career to repent?”
John answered, “Be honest in your work, do what’s right.”

My heart sank. I, a farmer of taxes, me honest?
I gained my livelihood by charging rich and poor.
What I raise above my own tax fees lines my pockets

I watched men and women walk into the water,
They confessed their own sins and then dipped down under,
They came up smiling, faces shining, looking new.

I feel my dirt-caked conscience tug at my heart,
But I am too afraid, I will be rejected.
I feel so empty, heart ready to implode.

This is my chance to be made anew, my heart groans.
It will cost if I go down to be baptized.
I’ll give up my rich life! I yell out, “What of me?”

John beckons me to the refreshing dark abyss,
“Publican, collect that appointed, and no more.”
I step in, the waters encircled, and embraced.

I then weep, I confess, mourning my many sins.
I sink down to the abyss, allowing deaths embrace.
I spring up a new man, a smile on my face.

On the beach I stand, awed. I feel clean, white as snow.
I’m ready to give up everything I own,
To live right before God, the one who has my love.

I watch a man walk to the water and walk in,
He speaks to John, but I do not hear what they say.
John dips him, baptizing him in the dark water.

He stands up, thunder rolls back clear skies.
Was that a voice I heard? On the man, a dove alights.
I see him walk away deep into the wilderness.