Following Those Prints

by Bishop Ogles

 

Once on a day of Joyful Beauty and air pristine

I happened on the trail, at Jordan's Banks,   where our Lord had trod, 

And saw there in the stony sand agleam

The footprints of his nail-pierced feet upon the sod.

 

Along the shore of Galilee's coast

A fishing boat with sides weathered by the tempest's blast

Lay anchored now in quiet repose

Silent witness to the Stormy past.

 

Onward down the River Valley green

The Footprints led to Bethany

And on the way an opened Tomb

Whose Lazarus rose as beckoned lovingly.

 

On across the western plains to Sychar's well

That Jacob dug for all to quench a thirst

The prints paused briefly for a Woman Lost

Mixed there with others who came as did the first.

 

Quite steady on the prints led to the Temple Mount

Where tables, overturned in fury hot,

At which the money changers made there count

And fled the Master's blistering reproach of all their lot.

 

Straight on the steps led through the narrow Way

To Pilate's seat foreboding, proud and dark,

Past judgment seat where Peter thrice on that last Day

Denied his love for Christ and missed the mark.

 

Now haltingly they merge on Dolorosa's rocky lane

Where Jesus bore His heavy cross alone

Up Calvary's granite slopes of Crimson Stain

Where last He bled and for our sin atoned.

 

From out the tomb in Garden fair and sweet

The prints led on to Glory high and Great

And up beyond the heavens pearl-decked gates

He now commands the hearts of all of Faith.