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Mysterium

Mysterium

Last updated on: September 12, 2024 at 1:26 am by Ben Witherington

Mysterium 2024-08-28T09:30:12-04:00 Ben Witherington

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MYSTERIUM

They say it is a ‘mystery’

A puzzle in a phrase

But is it revelation

Which always will amaze?

They find the ‘mystery’ lacking

Clear diction and quite plain

And if it causes pondering

They’re going to complain.

Where is the love of eloquence

In form and substance too

Must discourse be plebian

In order to get through?

Not all things in the Bible

Are clear to one and all

And when the truth’s apparent

Sometimes it will appall.

Clarity is a virtue

But sometimes it offends

The sense and sensibility

Of enemies and friends

Who wants an intruding truth

That upsets a quiet life

And changes one’s direction

The result—unending strife.

The preacher’s great temptation

In trying to please the crowd

Is over-simplifying

And repeating it too loud.

But life is complicated,

And there’s mystery in Good News

It serves no good purpose

To trivialize the truths.

There is a need for reflection

Some truths are hard to grasp

The learning curve is steep

The light may dawn at last.

Perhaps perspicuity

Is not lacking in the Word

But in the puzzler’s brain

To whom it seems absurd.

Beware the proclaimer

Who thinks he knows it all

And can unveil the mystery

Of Redemption and the Fall.

We see through opaque windows

And comprehend in part

It requires ongoing repentance

And an open heart.

And when it becomes apparent

Our flaws have been revealed

The kind of illumination

Unsought but oh so real.

Like a two-edged sword

Piercing our facade

In learning God’s message

We learn we’re far from God.

So ponder God’s witness

And learn about your state

We fall short of God’s glory

My destiny or my fate?

Or perhaps a unique providence

Governs our lives and call

And we are saved by grace

Not by knowing all.

The mysterium tremendum

Once heard and seen and felt

Should humble us for certain

Forgiveness is what we’re dealt.

Sola deo gloria

BW3

8/28/24

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