Scarlet Robe Creations

He has been left in the tomb. The Passover, His Passover, a lamb slaughtered, each doorpost etched with His blood. He was despised and rejected. His love, spat upon, by those who feared His truth. No political voice spoke in His favor. He was slain by the righteous. One from whom people hide their faces. Who can look at what they have done. He counts His bones and forgives. Those who know His love will find the wrappings where vacated flesh once laid. Doubt festers until a single question is asked, "Why do you shed tears?" They have taken the Lord's body. In the morning there is a dance of joy, delayed, until they understand, the blood and sweat on the linen and the words of an angel and the crucified Lord. copyright 2024 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

Between light and darkness. An overcast moment trapped between the sun going dark and the stone rolling away. Emptiness replaces fear. With the gray morning there comes reality, all have denied and have fled into the darkness. But yesterday, He was still with us, though painfully. His wounds were nightmarish streaks of blood. The prophet called them stripes. And then the world was dark, trembling. The earth knows of its creator. We speculate. So, in our doubt, we sit in shadowed rooms, afraid to light a candle, or stand by the window. Feeling to the core that He is not with us. Praying that the emptiness will pass and that the sun might rise again. copyright 2024 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

The Last Supper (1325-1330) - Ugolino da Siena Dine with us. Celebrate the night when lamb's blood was wiped on the doorpost. You'll not share another like this. The physical law has become a spiritual grace. We come to the upper room where everything is prepared. Blood of one perfect lamb becomes the wine of another. A sacrifice bringing life to you. Hold the bread in your hands for one moment. It is the flesh that will nourish your spirit. A covenant offered. Come and sit. Dine with us. Embrace what you are freely given. The pain of days to come will blend into joy. Cries made to Heaven for what has been lost will become shouts of rejoicing eternal. copyright 2024 - Donald P James Je https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

"This spectacle disturbs me," Amos says.  He looks out over the crowd gathering at the gates to the great city. "They are simple minded," the elderly man beside him replies. "But I've heard things... about this one." "How often have they walked upon this soil.  How often have they told us to change our ways.  The people think a man like that can raise up an army and send the Romans from our city.  Is there a benefit to riots... or war." "I don't suppose so." "Amos, you are young.  You experience the world with a lack of wisdom.  Your life has a certain degree of comfort, as does mine.  Insurrection against the powers that leave us to live this life... would harm none but those who profess the faith.  The Romans would see us as one united group of rebels.  The nation would perish and the temple will be leveled." "And what about them?" "The simple minded gnats.  They excite themselves with tales of miracle

Christ Among the Parisees - Jacob Jordaens (1593 - 1678) Are they hypocrites, not belonging to the father, weeds, not wheat? Scholars seeking only to destroy the Word threatening their authority. The Word was not spoken of itself. He was made flesh by the one with whom the hypocrites claim intimacy. Hypocrites. Weeds in the field. White washed bones in a parched desert. Hypocrites criticizing the Word spoken, sinning against the Spirit. copyright 2024 - Donald P James Jr  https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

Christ and The Pharisees -  Alexander Bida - 1874 The youth sits among the elders, quietly listening to the wisdom they share. They do not know Him. In twenty years some will. Some will listen to His words, they will see His works. Others will be deaf and blind. Does He interrupt them? For He has nothing to learn from them, and they have everything to learn from Him. But He listens. He knows these men with an intimacy we can never understand. Maybe a few of them will sit in judgement in twenty-one years. Maybe one will seek to wipe His brow. Soon the youth will no longer listen to men who wallow in their self-righteousness. He will confront their ideals out of love for the weak. But for now He listens knowing the Spirit of the Lord is upon Him. copyright 2024 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

He was a burning and shining lamp and for a while you were content to rejoice in his light John 5:35 I tell you something greater. It is wise if you take heed. You are told this for your own good. You should still yourself and listen. There is much to accomplish. The ministry will be but a moment. The affect will be eternal. The joy will be everlasting. For a while you were content to simply listen to the baptizer. For a short time you sat on the shore, and you rejoiced in the burning light of his lamp. The preacher, who told you he could not fasten the sandals of He who was to follow, has pointed out the way to you. He has shown you something greater. He has shown you a brighter light. copyright 2024 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

 Inspired by a lyric in a song by Joe Wise, 'Lord, Teach Us to Pray'. Separate. We stand divided, skin tones, creeds, right to life, the meaning of Communion. We have bowed down to the desire of the media, of politicians, religious authorities and the evil one. Were we ever one? Were we ever on the same shore? Maybe once we were more tolerant and the river between us wasn't as wide. Maybe once we had faith. Separate. We are tearing ourselves asunder, at what gain. If you listen can you still hear Him, or has His voice diminished among culture's raucous scream. Has His voice been filtered out by hate, and the lack of love. Lord, teach us to pray, while we still have time to kneel. copyright 2024 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

They are not yours. Do not think such. They are entrusted. They are brought to you,      so you might nurture. Do no harm. Leave your pride bound up. They are your focus. It is like this with all gifts. When I bring another into your life,     a child,          a spouse, give your all,     or you will have nothing. They will always be mine,     just as you are mine. They will return to me     unblemished... if you simply love. copyright 2024 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author