image by June Smith
" I will meet with you and I will speak with you from above the mercy seat"
THE MEETING
In Ramone, Italy, I stepped into a dark alcove of a small ancient church.
The heavy door closed suddenly behind me pushed by an unseen hand
Alone in the pitch black I smelled the damp and musky odor of time.
The small area became a sacred place.
On the wall ahead an image was lit up by the sun's rays
Totally alone in the darkness I was frozen before beauty
I stood in awe as the sun danced over byzantine tiles
Forming the image
Jesus holding a lamb in his arms
I knew this was for me. For me.
The image came alive for me and I breathed it in
Taking in the incredible beauty
However still in a shadow of what is above in the heavenly realms
The Living and Breathing Christ who is seated in session for us.
...excerpt from In His Grip
Your manifold wisdom is made known
You reign in glory from your throne
And yet! And yet!
You bid me meet
With you alone
At the mercy seat
With every beat of His glorified heart
Fully alive in His being
Forever interceding
Receiving our praises
Dispensing mercy for repentant sinners
Oh glory to the seated Christ
Who gave us mercy with His life
In His exalted place of honor
In mighty glory and power
At the right hand of the Father
He speaks and teaches to his apostles
He dispenses wisdom to the church
Building and protecting
Christ in session
Forever blessing
We are your children, your glorious church
Your kingdom unshakeable through all the earth
The gates of hell do not prevail
You save your church from the grip of hell
From the cross you are risen in glory
Your glory revealed to all creation
Your authority rules over all the nations
Your manifold wisdom is made known
You reign in glory from your throne
And yet, and yet you bid me come
You bid me meet
For in my heart
I can meet
Alone with you
At the mercy seat
-j.smith /2024
Arise My Soul Arise
Shake off my guilty fears
The bleeding sacrifice on my behalf appears
Before the throne my Surety stands
He ever lives above me for me to intercede
His all-redeeming love
His precious blood to plead
His blood atoned for every race
And sprinkles now the throne of grace
-John Wesley
Comments