My Favorite Story (Invitation to Sonship)

Leprous stubs and cries of "Unclean!"

Bent backs, howling demoniacs

Hungry poor, oppressed, leaderless

Yes Father, for you, for them, yes I will do it

More years in the scriptures

More time with Father in the wilderness

I was getting ready

Then came John, precious John, brave and fearless John

This is what we were training for

Finally they would begin to believe

The temptation was about trust

Would I live? Would Father hold me?

Were the scriptures enough?

The usurper came

I passed the test

Then the angels came, what comfort

No pride, no fear, no doubt, only faith now

An ocean of hope and joy and Love, so much Love

Finally to reach to the people

It didn't take long, they began to come to me

So many, so needy, so helpless

It crushed me to see them that way

But it filled me to give to them

And it was too much, we needed rest

More respites in the wilderness with Father

My disciples were so slow to listen

They did not understand Messiah

But Father was everywhere

Ever deeper, refreshingly unpredictable

So delighted to share, so patient

People don't understand: I missed sometimes

Not sin, just learning through trail and error

Perfecting the art of ministry

It was uncharted waters, I had no earthly mentor

Sometimes I had to stay up all night to pray

Father would patiently get me re-aligned

It was always worth it

Oh the glory, the gratitude, their faces

The lepers were often so grateful

Except for those nine, so sad

They would gape at their new fingers

Their faces shining with tears

Father and I would abound with fulfillment

The young man who had the legion

He was so disappointed, he wanted to join us

Few have known how great an evangelist the became

And the prostitutes we so true

Their wonder at real Love from a man

The parties were rich harvest fields

Hurting souls looking for Love

The pleasure of greeting them

Their amazement as I sat to eat

Their eagerness to please

So exuberant, so unable to fathom it

Finally daring to believe they were loved

Oh Father, all of them, Father every one!

And so loyal once the followed

Mary my friend, such fierce loyalty

Her deliverance was so beautiful

She snotted all over me and I did not care

It was wonderful and unforgettable

Oh such memories, truly golden moments

Precious souls precious days, a precious plan

And tears, tears, tears

The Pharisees: so heart-breaking

So hard, so cold, so pitted against Life

So much potential

So much word but all in the mind

Twisted mind and hearts, twisted by sin

That's why I am so proud of Paul

If only you knew what he had to shed

What a dear friend, a true brother

And the day approached, I set my face

Many fell away then

Many, like now

My nearest and dearest fought me

So heart-breaking, the rejection cut deep

Pain, pain such pain, and loneliness

The whip, the clubs, the fists

Isaiah as they sawed him in two

Jeremiah as he bled

Zechariah as they slew him

Oh my sons, my brothers, my creation

Grief unimaginable, I couldn't breathe

Strength Father, give me strength

I had to make it all the way

Pilate's folly

The spirit of man with one last chance

Did you ever consider that he could have yielded?

Choice, there is always choice

But of course, we knew his choice

Understand that despite that, I already knew

There was always hope in my heart for them

For Judas, for Pilate, for Herod

Hope for them born of love

Without it there is no brokenness

Having to let it go

Messiah had to be utterly crushed

Inside and out

Crucify Him!! They insisted

I turned to go up the hill

Rejection beyond words

Beyond the loudest thunder

Carry the cross

I'd hauled plenty of lumber, you know

Oh please, Father, strength, strength

It was hard to believe him

I had to make it up that hill, to finish

Such hateful words, jeers, mocking

And the wails of my beloved, such grief for them

Messiah on a cross?

It brought total bewilderment

Mother, Mary, John, they staggered behind

A split second of distraction

The torment, the bitterness of sin

Every foul thing from the whole universe

Pressing into my eyes, nostrils ears, skin

Stinging rain on my rib-bared back, cold

Father, Father, where are you?

I could never have imagined

My heart straining, weakening

Father Father, why? You have left me too

Total separation, I feel my hear ripping

It struggles to beat, blood leaking out

Untold legions of demons on my breast

Crushing, crushing, Father's rejection

Into your hands I commit my spirit

My heart rips in half"

And then he turned and faced me

Smiled and looked deep into my eyes

He enveloped me and drowned me in Love

"I'd have done it for you if you were the only one

You were worth it to me, I'd do it again

Father has raised us both

I'd give anything to have you with me forever

I already have and always do, you're mine

You can never be taken from me

You are bought with a price

There is nowhere too far for me to go

I'll always bring you back, as long as you let me

None is snatched from my hand

Only your choice could separate you from me

This is only the beginning

I am alive, I have risen!

After three days in the earth I stood

I walked out of my tomb

I live for you, to serve you

Your King, the Servant

We serve here in this Kingdom

I who was the last am first

I am building a mansion for you

Making a place in my government

For you alone if you will truly follow me

Stand up son, stand my brother

I have made you like me

I give you authority

To walk over evil, to speak life

To heal, to bless, to inspire

To breathe life over my creation

Even the dead

To uproot and to plant

To tear down and build up

To finish the Adamic commission

To husband my garden throughout the earth

You are my brother

You are my friend and my Bride

We are all One, my Body

One body, many parts

I love you, I bought you

You will be mighty, holy in my sight

You are mine, and I am a jealous Lover

My seed is in your belly

You will bear me much fruit

I have chosen you

From before the dawn of time

I designed you, made a plan for you

To rule and reign with me forever

So stand up, receive your birthright

You can receive the glory for which I made you

If you will but suffer with me

In order to be perfected as I was

I have reserved you for such a time as this"

"Can it be, Lord?" I asked

"Yes," he said, "I have said it

I who cannot lie

This is my story

You are my inheritance

It is your love I have sought

My wedding, at last

My banquet, my bedchamber

All for me, shared with you

Come, enter the Joy of your Master"

"Yes, Lord" I said

Yes, yes and amen

Make me your brother

A son of the Most High God"

Stephen Pursell, 1/2/04