The "Binding of Isaac"
by Abraham (Gen. 22) is an
amazing prophecy of Our
Heavenly Father's sacrifice
of His only-begotten Son
for the purpose that
Whosoever would believe in Him
should not perish,
but have everlasting life (John 3:16).
Passiontide in the Historic Lectionary
begins with Lent 5, when Jesus
is finally rejected by the
leaders of Israel, as read in the Gospel
for that Sunday, John 8:46-59.
There Jesus tells us that Abraham,
acting out prophecy,
"rejoiced to see my day".
THE PASSION OF JESUS
A Sonnet by George K. Johnson (1920-2007)
Last Supper's blessing of the bread and wine
Gave way to Jesus flung in prostrate prayer,
Thrice pledging, "Father, not my will, but thine..."
While His apostles slept. Hence His betrayer
Led weaponed guards who bound Him to His trial
And thus, condemned by priests and governor,
To crucifixion. Then did mobs revile
And mock the dying Christ. Not angered nor
Self-pitying, He prayed, "Father, forgive...."
Thus showed He us, in giving up the ghost,
That we would know salvation if we live
The two commandments He gave us as most
Important: love thy God with all thy heart,
And love thy neighbor as thyself a part.
