JESUS WEPT

JESUS WEPT
By Ken Blue
(Here is a poem I wrote several years ago right after my mothers death)

I preached a funeral sometime ago for someone unknown to me.
I chose a text, found a poem and rehearsed the eulogy.

I preached a funeral sometime ago for someone unknown to me.
The mourners sat behind the veil, their faces I could not see.

I preached a funeral sometime ago for someone unknown to me.
I expounded my text, quoted a poem and read the eulogy.

I preached a funeral sometime ago for someone unknown to me.
The mourners wept, I excused myself to collect my clergy fee.

I attended a funeral the other day of someone beloved to me
A text was read, a poem said, then the eulogy.

I sat behind the misty veil where many a mourner had sat
I needed a friend to hold my hand, but no comfort did I get.

I stood beside the casket numbed, my loved one’s face to see
This mourner lingered, the Reverend left to collect his clergy fee.

He had no time for a tender smile nor extends a compassionate hand.
I went my way that lonely day a wiser, better man.

I thought of a funeral of a former day in the town of Bethany
Veils could not hide the pain inside from the Lord of Eternity

Beneath the stone a loved one lay, in swaddling clothes he slept.
It was not for him, but for them our dear Master wept.

Jesus wept when He saw their sorrow, He groaned when He saw their pain
His love to all was evident, His compassion He could not refrain

“Dear Lord may I through compassionate eyes see the others’ needs
May my heart do its part as my lips do their deeds”

I preached a funeral the other day for someone unknown to me
I choose a text, selected a poem and did it prayerfully

I preached a funeral the other day; mourners’ faces from view were kept
But Jesus knew and He saw through the veil and so we wept.

By Ken Blue 8/5/00