Tag: Gospel of John

What Is Truth?

What Is Truth?

“Am I leading a rebellion?”
Why, with swords and clubs, do you capture me? (1)
Because my teaching has instigated people against you?
Because my disciples and followers are dangerous to you?
What is your anxiety that now threatens me?

I have taught truth in the temple courts;
I have preached the way of life in the synagogue;
I have spoken openly before the world to save people;
I have said nothing in secret. (2)
Why do you misunderstand me?

I have not said, “I am the king of the Jews.”
I have said, “My kingdom is not of this world.”
If I sought to become the king of this world,
I would resist worldly powers with swords and clubs.
My kingdom is not from this world. (3)

Do you ask a question of truth?
If you are in truth, you may understand truth.
If you are not in truth, you will misunderstand me.
All tragedies arise from ignorance of truth.
All inhumanities come from blindness to truth.

I came into this dark world to bring the light of truth. (4)
 
– Rev. Yong Sub Sim
 

(1) Mark 14:48
(2) John 18:20
(3) John 18:36
(4) John 18:37

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Many Believed in Him There

Heavens Torn Open

Not only the religious leaders in the noisy city,
the people in the big city misunderstood Him also,
denied, hated and picked up stones to stone Him. (1)
He escaped out of their hands. (2)

Where did He go?
He went back to the place where he was baptized;
He retreated to where John had been baptizing. (3)
He is reminded of that day.

He sees heaven being torn open again,
The Spirit descending on him like a dove. (4)
He hears the voice that spoke from heaven into the wilderness,
“You are my Son; I love you. I am well pleased with you.” (5)

With heavenly peace and joy, He stayed in the rough wilderness.
And many people followed Him from the city for their souls.
They left the city—not to see a reed swayed by the wind, and
Not to see fine clothes for those who wear fine clothes are in the city— (6)
They left the city to follow Him in the rough wilderness.

Many believed in Him there—
Those who left the city where desires and ambitions reign,
Those who came to hear the voice from heaven,
Those who left their ordinary life of following the ways of the world.
They believed in Him in the rough wilderness.

– Rev. Yong Sub Sim

Poem based on John 10:40-42

(1) John 10:31
(2) John 10:39
(3) John 10:40
(4) Mark 1:10
(5) Mark 1:11
(6) Matthew 11:7-9

Image from manfredrichter on Pixabay.

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How Can These Things Be?

How can these things be?

“How can these things be?”
Are you surprised at my saying
you must be born again? (1)
Aren’t you a teacher and leader of Israel?
Do you not understand these things? (2)

I do not consider what you say about me:
You are our teacher who has come from God.
You have performed miraculous and holy signs.
If God was not working in you, you could not perform
these amazing and mysterious things. (3)

I tell you the truth for your life,
no one can enter the kingdom of God
without being born again with the Spirit. (4)
This mystery does not need your performance.
The Spirit must grasp your spirit.

Open your deep heart-mind to the truth.
Activate your senses to the quiet voice in spirit.
As the wind blows where it wishes but you hear its sound,
the Spirit of freedom touches and calls you.
You should not be surprised at this mystery.

– Rev. Yong Sub Sim

Poem based on John 3:9.

(1) John 3:7
(2) John 3:10
(3) John 3:2
(4) John 3:5

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