I AM BARTHOLOMEW

My friend came to me, exuberant!

To tell me of the One who had found him;

Whose words reconciled scripture,

And who promised new life, simply,

By taking note, rejecting sin and by forgiving.

As Nathaniel I sat under the tree,

Watching passers by philosophically;

Wondering when people would be free

Of the yoke of Roman tyranny,

And, from where would our redeemer be?

John the Baptist had created a stir;

By his actions and his words.

He was not appreciated by the cleric,

Whether Pharisee or Sadducee;

For a new kingdom was soon to be!

I remembered the scriptural text,

That told of the Messiah, who next

Would come to give Judah release;

Who would bring great riches and more

And the kingdom on earth would restore.

There was surprise when my friend approached me.

The breeze was gentle beneath the fig tree.

I was reluctant to accept what he said;

Hesitatingly followed to meet the prophet.

My doubt disappeared when He spoke to me!

This man; He was the Christ, knew a great deal

About the misery of God’s people!

He told us that He came to save,

By healing of body and spirit.

He established himself as the greatest of prophets.

I journeyed with my friend, Philip.

As often as I could, willingly,

Telling of the good news;

Of the Son and of His ministry,

Of forgiveness and of redemption of the meek and lowly.

‘I am Bartholomew.’

Perhaps a sceptic once, now a believer,

Who accepts the truth presented in the story,

Of Christ’s sacrifice for mankind, including me.

The pain and passion hung on the tree.

I spoke to the priests who condemned my Lord.

Few would listen, few had heard;

Moses instructed in the law,

Directed Israel to listen to God;

Beyond the Law the fulfillment of spirit.

The oppressed rejected the oppressor;

Trusted in a new faith given;

Abided by the teaching of the baptism,

Forgave the debt and the sin,

Encouraged the growth of life within.

The Way, the truth and the light,

Of our Saviour and our Lord,

Comforted me and my friends,

Assured us of God’s care,

Brightened the darkness of our night.

My life has been full;

I no longer wait around;

The words of the Son,

Full of understanding,

Branch out and bring, prosperity!

May 3rd. 1996 © Will George