[Note: the KJV and RSV use the more literal "let your loins be girded" in vs. 35.]
"Gird up your loins!" as students we'd say,
Which meant, be prepared, or else, in dismay,
You'd find that a paper, or else a big test,
Would cause you to trip, since you were not dressed
To run your next race - or preach a good word;
Then, girding up loins also meant to be spurred
To walk into the pulpit and be not afraid!
"Gird" also means "belt," and thus fasten your blade,
To do battle with powers that make us believe
Our treasures we make, and not simply receive;
And finally, "loins" means it's not about "me,"
But those who come after, who through me might see
That believing means trusting the master to give
What I hardly expect! But receiving, I live
For the sake of the One who has taught me how grace
Is the treasure of this oft afraid human race.
Scott L. Barton
“Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure
to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give alms. Make
purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in
heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your
treasure is, there your heart will be also.
“Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit; be like those who are
waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet, so that
they may open the door for him as soon as he comes and knocks. Blessed
are those slaves whom the master finds alert when he comes; truly I
tell you, he will fasten his belt and have them sit down to eat, and
he will come and serve them. If he comes during the middle of the
night, or near dawn, and finds them so, blessed are those slaves.
“But know this: if the owner of the house had known at what hour the
thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You
also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected
hour.”
No comments:
Post a Comment