Two Brothers

Once there were two brothers

I will not say their names

Born of the same mother and father

They appeared quite sane.

A request was made of them both

And they both attempted to comply

However one met the request as given

The other was determined to defy.

No doubt they had seen their parents

Abide by that same request

One would follow as required

The other did less that his best.

One was commended as expected

The other was given a severe rebuke

He became particularly crestfallen

 And with his brother had a dispute.

He blamed his brother for his rejection

And plotted a devious plan

Determined he would get rid of him

He slew the innocent man

That’s not the end of this event

For God did hold a court session

He was both the judge and jury

Actually in history it was the second.

Some years prior to this

The first was held in a garden

Two people had contravened God’s law

And were summons to the first court session.

I guess you know how that turned out

And the punishment we all now suffer

So God called this second court session

And executed it a similar manner.

He asked the murderer for his brother

His response was lame and weak

“Am I my brother’s keeper,” he asked

And no doubt, from God, tried to retreat.

But there was nowhere to run

And God he had to face

He thought his penalty was too hard

But God tempered justice with grace.

He was given a measure of protection

With a very distinguishable mark

He was banished to a land called Nod

And there he made a fresh start.

Many generations after this

Two more brothers had a feud

One was a trickster and schemer

The other was rugged and crude.

One was the favourite of his father

The younger was the favourite of his mum

And so this situation would turn out

In the favour of the younger son.

The older first lost his birthright

In exchange for a bowl of soup

Arriving home from a hard day’s work

To an astounding level he did stoop.

Being as hungry as a bear

He sniffed the fragrance as he drew near

And determine in his heart

How he would relish some of the fare.

But his brother was adamant

He would not get the slightest bit

Unless prepared to give up his birthright

He would not even get a sip.

So the older brother agreed

And surrendered his birthright

No doubt later he would reflect

That what he did was none too bright.

So he lost his physical inheritance

But worst was yet to come

Next he would lose the blessing

As a result of the younger son.

This time he had much assistance

And again it had to do with a meal

Between the younger son and his mother

They contrived the blessing to steal.

Again one brother was out hunting

For his father’s favourite dish

Meanwhile his mother prepared a meal

So the younger could have his wish.

The blessing had spiritual significance

The receiver would head up the family

He would take over at the father’s passing

This was of utmost priority.

The contrivers’ scheme went well

The blind old patriarch was fooled

He enjoyed the meal of the younger

And he received this spiritual tool.

Of course as one would expect

The older brother finally returned

But the news was not encouraging

And on the younger he heaped more scorn.

Not only had he lost the birthright

But the blessing he had also lost

The only way he could settle the score

Was to get rid of his brother at any cost.

This feud continued through the years

With some conciliation in between

Such that even up to this day

There are still remnants on this scene.

Coming into the New Testament

A certain man had two sons

The younger wanted what was his

He was bent on having fun.

Well the father gave in to him

And gave him his inheritance

With nary a word from the older son

There was not the slightest resistance.

I guess he was quite happy

To have his brother out of the loop

Now all that was left was his:

Every field, every coral, every coop.

Well away the younger brother went

And spent his money as he pleased

He cared nothing about the morrow

As he splurged and took his ease.

Well two things happened unexpectedly

And they happened pretty much in sync:

One was that his money soon ran out

And then a famine brought him to the brink.

Things became so brown

That he could not even get food

The pigs were better; they got the scraps

But this brother could only sit and brood.

As the situation did not improve

He decided he would return home

He could become a hired servant

But he could no longer roam.

Well his father received him gladly

And for him did hold a banquet

The older brother was none too pleased

And clearly expressed his regret.

Three cases of feuding brothers

Not to mention there were others

Such that in family and church today

This thing is still a bother.

Brother up against brother

Over colour of skin and creed

Two common factors still stand out:

The colour of their blood and their greed.

Stewart Russell © September 2017

Jesus Paid My Travel Expense

I stood at the station puzzled and confused,

I knew not where I was going; don’t be amused,

And even if I knew I still had no ticket

So I just stood there and stared; can you dig it?

Not my first travel; that you should know

But on this occasion where should I go?

In my mind I pondered it and then I realized

This journey was really about my demise.

I had lived my life pretty much carefree,

There was scarcely a destination I did not see,

I felt good being able to go most anywhere,

I had the funds and I had the time to spare.

The question of origin didn’t cross my mind

And the issue of destination was what people opined,

That philosophical hogwash was not for me

I was as free as a bird and as busy as a bee.

That it could end in a flash was never a thought,

I had the means to buy what needed to be bought,

If money was the problem then I had no problem,

All of the problems I faced money could solve them.

“Why am I here?”  That pretty much I knew,

“Grab and get all within my purview,

Life was a game like the game of monopoly

Take care of you and then forget everybody.”

I used everybody as a foothold or hand up

People merely existed to replenish my cup,

The crumbs that dropped were theirs for the taking

But none of them was to make what I was making.

Something, I don’t quite remember what

Trigger my thoughts regarding my lot,

It was then that I confessed my precarious spot

My philosophy in life was a heap of rot.

The money I possessed was of no use now

I needed to get a pass for this journey somehow,

It could not be purchased by money or status

I had to make contact with someone named Jesus.

  

I was told that he had already paid the price

And the cost to him was his inordinate sacrifice,

I began to think on what terms I could apply

And whether there was anything I would have to supply.

I was taken back when I was told, “Come as you are,

It doesn’t matter how badly you are scarred,

His broken body was given for me

And his poured out blood took care of my fee.

It cost him everything so I could travel free

But I must apply in person; could be no one but me;

Not my father or mother, my spouse or my friend

Concerning my eternity I must personally attend.

Only two destinations: it’s heaven or hell

Obtaining the blood pass would do me well,

That was the travel expense that Jesus paid for me

So that with him I could spend eternity.

Suddenly I was no longer puzzled and confused,

I could be on heaven’s train if I should choose,

I procured heaven’s pass dipped in Christ’s blood

At that station in life right where I stood.

You see heaven’s train passes through this life,

One must board here in the midst of its strife

After earth’s sojourn there’s no chance to board

And for that lost soul only hell is in store.

If you are reading this and you are not on board

Call on Jesus while there’s still that open door,

Get his blood pass and be rid of your sin

Climb on board and enjoy life’s ride with him.

Stewart Russell © April 2017