“7” Last Statements of Jesus
Spoken from the Cross: Week 2
“I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:43
Matt Durbin (c) 2010
Breath
Jesus, why are you
up here
with me, why
is our blood
mixing with dirt,
why do our lungs
heave out as if
we have
the same spirit
in us
begging to be set free?
Why do we keep
breathing,
each inhalation,
a gasp.
All I want to do
is breathe out
a final time.
Are you a criminal,
what have you
stolen, what law
have you broken? Exhale.
I inhale
your air.
The weight of it
does not rise
off my chest.
Why must
this suffering
last so long?
God, just this
breathing
is agony—
guilt
and grace,
guilt and
grace, guilt
and grace,
where is
Your paradise?
~ Sarah M. Wells (C) 2010
This post was previously featured as the “7” virtual art-walk series. Click here to find out more about it. Also, don’t miss the Embodied series during this Lenten season, as well as scripture reflections every Monday.
Blessings of ARTistry, CREATivity & BEaUty, Jody
______________________
(c) 2018 Jody Thomae
Jody Thomae is the author of God’s Creative Gift—Unleashing the Artist in You, a devotional book with Bible studies to nurture the creative spirit within and to serve as a resource for creative Christians, artists, musicians and worshippers. She has been involved in worship arts ministry since 1997, coordinating artistic involvement in church services and regional worship events through dance, drama, poetry and fine arts and has had the 
opportunity to perform, teach, choreograph, preach, coordinate and lead workshops in the area of creativity, spirituality and embodied prayer. She has also recently released a devotional CD, Song of the Beloved.
Her passion is for the revelation of God to be made more real through the prophetic use of the arts in church and formational ministry. It is her desire to portray the message of Christ’s desperate and unfailing love for His people to help sustain the hearts of the broken and weary. Life scriptures include Psalm 27; Isaiah 50:4-7; and Zephaniah 3:14-17.
Nurturing the Creative Spirit Within 
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