No One Ever Spoke Like This Man

Oh, what He says on Tuesday?

Blows my mind and leaves a knife stuck in my chest.

It was hard to write into song,

But, oh, so worth it.

Post by Mary Schieferstein.

No One Ever Spoke Like This Man
by Mary Schieferstein
©2014 Mary Schieferstein

Tuesday He comes again to the temple,
I stand among the crowds to hear Him teach.
"An uneducated young man,"
Those who study Torah call Him.
Funny, that isn't how He seems.

The Pharisees come up as He is teaching,
Ask of the authority by which He speaks.
He asks them the same of John,
And, for fear of reputation,
They do not answer, but rather turn to leave.

And no one ever spoke like this Man.
These leaders have never been so stumped before.
When He speaks, their eyes grow cold
As though He stares into their souls,
Yet they keep trying, sure they'll gain the upper hand,
But no one ever spoke like this Man.

The Pharisees come back a little later,
This time it seems they've really thought,
Ask if the tax is wrong or right,
He lets the image decide -
Reminds us we're made in the image of God.

Well, the Sadducees try next to trick Him,
Try to show the resurrection is absurd.
He just blows them all away,
Tells them they don't know what they say,
Don't know God's Power or what's written in His Word.

And no one ever spoke like this Man.
These leaders have never been so stumped before.
When He speaks, their eyes grow cold
As though He stares into their souls,
Yet they keep trying, sure they'll gain the upper hand,
But no one ever spoke like this Man.

Then the Pharisees send forth one lawyer,
Who wonders which command is the greatest in the Law.
And the answer Jesus gives-
How it burns within my chest! -
Shema Yisrael . . . love your God
With all your heart and soul and mind,
Love your neighbor as much as your own pride.
The lawyer hails Him as wise,
I lower my eyes.
How well have I done this in my life?

No one ever spoke like this Man,
No one's words have ever cut so deep.
When I convince my head to rise,
I see Him catch my eyes,
Wonder if it's my tears or my heart He's looking at.
No one ever spoke like this Man.


2014 Easter Songs Series:
Palm Sunday - Hosanna
Monday - House of Prayer
Tuesday - No One Ever Spoke Like This Man
Spy Wednesday - Who He Claims to Be
Maundy Thursday - Seder
Good Friday - What Have I Done?
Holy Saturday - This Wait
Easter Sunday - Victory



 

House of Prayer

It's a week of passionate burning

To get these words out,

To tell this story -

Not just the story of some random observer,

But, in so many ways, my story.

Today I even had to improvise a music stand.

Monday - Jesus cleanses the temple.

Post by Mary Schieferstein.

House of Prayer
by Mary Schieferstein
©2014 Mary Schieferstein 

I am standing in the temple when He comes in,
I watch Him as He moves through the crowd.
He walks toward all the merchants, fire burning in His eyes,
He is determined to kick them out.

I watch Him overturn their tables and throw their chairs,
Step back as one stool lands before my feet.
The vendors start running for the exit.
He makes every last one leave.

He shouts, "You set up market in a house of prayer,
Bring in your thievery and lust,
Your wicked hearts defile what ought to be pure,
Your voices drown out those who come to worship God."

The children all laugh and sing, "Hosanna",
The adults are far too shocked to speak.
Just yesterday they'd been celebrating judgment,
But they wanted judgment on their enemies.

The Pharisees are seething in the corner,
Their hateful thoughts written in their eyes.
They scan the scene, try to control what's happening,
As Jesus teaches, cutting through their lies.

He says, "You set up market in a house of prayer,
Bring in your thievery and lust,
Your wicked hearts defile what ought to be pure,
Your voices drown out those who come to worship God."

And what man ever spoke like this before?
Who, in anger, has ever been so right?
Whose words have ever cut me to the core,
And yet are so full of life?

And His face is set, as solid as a stone.
What for, I can't pretend to understand.
This Jesus, He isn't what I wanted,
But maybe God's given something better instead.



2014 Easter Songs Series:
Palm Sunday - Hosanna
Monday - House of Prayer
Tuesday - No One Ever Spoke Like This Man
Spy Wednesday - Who He Claims to Be
Maundy Thursday - Seder
Good Friday - What Have I Done?
Holy Saturday - This Wait
Easter Sunday - Victory



 

Hosanna

I know it's been quiet here for far too long,

And probably will be again for a bit longer,

But this week?

This week is special.

If I could just share with you some of my meditations?

I know I'm a day late,

But I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Post by Mary Schieferstein.

Hosanna
by Mary Schieferstein
©2014 Mary Schieferstein

The prophets spoke of old,
Their words resound with hope
That we are almost too cut off to feel.

The rulers of this land
Are terrified we'll take a stand,
But we have neither the strength nor the zeal.

We've been watching for the One
Who was promised to come,
And You're sure closer than anything we've seen.

So, will You hear our cry,
Or will You leave us here to die?
Won't You give us what we need?

Hosanna, Jesus,
Will You not save us, Son of David?
Will You not bring forth the Kingdom,
You, most honored and most blessed?
Hosanna in the highest.

The kings of old rode off to war
With shining armor and sharpened swords,
Yet here You sit on a donkey's colt.

Has no one told You of the plan?
Please, won't You say You understand,
Please, say You've come to rescue Your own.


Hosanna, Jesus,
Will You not save us, Son of David?
Will You not bring forth the Kingdom,
You, most honored and most blessed?
Hosanna in the highest.

Oh, I did not expect
That You would come like this,
Won't You please tell me You see something that I can't.
Please tell me that there is still a plan.
Please tell me You'll save us from this mess.

Hosanna, Jesus,
Will You not save us, Son of David?
Will You not bring forth the Kingdom,
You, most honored and most blessed?
Hosanna in the highest.

Hosanna, Jesus,
Will You not save us, Son of David?
Will You not bring forth the Kingdom,
You, most honored and most blessed?
Hosanna in the highest.

Hosanna in the highest.

Not your typical Palm Sunday song, I know.

I wanted to catch the desperation,

To understand how the crowd felt, beneath the excitement -

Picture a lone young woman, behind the throng, catching glimpses of Jesus through the crowd.

She knows what they're all hoping for - what she's hoping for -

But is that what they're going to get?

I love the emotion of that.

Thoughts?

I always love to hear them.

Thank you so much, friends.

God bless!



2014 Easter Songs Series:
Palm Sunday - Hosanna
Monday - House of Prayer
Tuesday - No One Ever Spoke Like This Man
Spy Wednesday - Who He Claims to Be
Maundy Thursday - Seder
Good Friday - What Have I Done?
Holy Saturday - This Wait
Easter Sunday - Victory