October 26th

Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he said, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Luke 10:25

there he stood,
pockets full of briefs,
words as sharp as his stylus,
ready to pierce any cross examination.
but Jesus doesn’t fall
for his closing argument,
Jesus doesn’t pull out
scrolls from his back pocket
or call down lightning,
he simply looks at him,
like snow looking for children
wanting to make angels.
for love doesn’t come with a recipe,
mercy with quick set-up pictures,
and so, with grace twinkling in his eye,
Jesus softly asks,
‘why don’t you read
between the lines?’
and just then, between
dust on his feet
and the debate clenched
tight in his mind,
a heart suddenly remembers
how to beat for another.

© 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman