Scarlet Robe Creations

This is the verdict. It is written down so that there will be no question. A sign of brightness came into the world, a blaze of brilliance. The radiance of goodness exposed shadows at the core of iniquity. This is the verdict. Darkness hates the light, illumination of all that is evil. Darkness prefers the dank corners of corruption. It ferments in its own mire, lost in the grasp of sin. This is the verdict. Light came. It touched those who sought it's brilliance. Some chose darkness. They distained the glow of purity, and walked among dry bones rather than flesh. copyright 2025 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

"Did you not feel the earth tremble?" One of the guards spoke.  The other two maintained silence.  Obviously they were shaken.  The news they were bringing to the high priest would not be received well. "There was no earthquake," one of the priests said. "We felt it, great priest," the guard replied. "Your task was to stand watch over the tomb of a dead man.  One who claimed to have the ability to rise from death.  One whose followers would stop at nothing to make us... and the Romans believe he had, in fact, come back among the living." "There was a light as well," another guard added. "And three women," said the first guard. "Women?" The high priest queried. "They saw the tomb as well.  It was empty." "Caiaphas," a rounded priest said, stepping up beside the high priest, "Perhaps these women were followers of the Nazorean." "I see no reason to doubt your observation," Caiapha...

The Three Women at the Tomb of Christ - Irma Marti n "Do not be afraid." They have come expecting death, and finding burial cloths, stains of blood, but no body. Did they believe? They have come with perfumes, to anoint death, but the tomb is empty, the stone has been rolled away. "Do not be afraid." The guards have run off. The angel, dressed white as snow, speaks of Jesus' promise. He has risen. Is it joy, or is it fear? The news fills their emptiness, and opens their hearts to the truth. Jesus is love rejected. "Do not be afraid." copyright 2025 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

Rending the Veil - William Bell Scott, 1869 The tomb is opened. Come and see. He has said this, promised that He would fulfill scripture. Now it is done. The stone has been rolled away and the darkness inside is empty. The women were first, then those who hid in fear followed. Maybe they doubted Mary's claim. But He has risen. The earth has trembled. The veil has been torn, top to bottom. Grace is upon us. copyright 2025 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

There is one among you, one who places a price on the will of God. He has listened to the voices of demons. He has opened the palm of his hands for coin, and the emptiness of betrayal. He will dine with the one, the teacher who he will kiss in greeting. He will set himself at the table, to share the Passover meal, then slip into collusion with those who were greatly pleased by his sin. copyright 2025 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

James Tissot - Jesus Enters Jerusalem Hosanna! They lay down there cloaks, not for a stallion, prancing amidst the crowd, not for a centurion, robed with the honor of his rank. Hosanna! Their palms and branches cover not the dust from the hoofs of the beast who carry any dignitary of a puppet king. Hosanna! Their cloaks, the branches waved in celebration, shield a donkey's colt from soil, from kingdoms built on war. Hosanna! An itinerant preacher, a homeless vagabond, rides a beast burdened with humility. Celebrated as a king. Bringing a peace they cannot comprehend. copyright 2025 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

Anthony van Dyck - The Brazen Serpent He became a curse, lifted up in our sight, on a beam of wood. As in the wilderness the serpent was raised on a pole, so is the Lord raised up. It is an act of faith, to look up and be healed. But never does the bronze image, or the ceramic figure, cast away our sin. Healing comes only with the act of faith. He became a curse, lifted up in our sight, on a cross. The serpent has foreshadowed Him. He has taken the poison bite of our transgressions upon His own flesh, and we are healed. copyright 2025 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

"Where is your father?" they asked him. "You do not know me, or my father," Jesus answered.  "If you knew me you would also know my father." John 8:19 Where is your father? They ask this, those whose ancestors were led out, whose forefathers ate manna, and saw the walls of Jericho fall. Where is your father? The prophets have spoken. They have uttered words defining this day. They have pointed the direction, you should follow. Where is your father? Even today we ask this, those of us who taste the world's disbelief. We ignore prophets, the words of the Apostles, and the testimony of the Son. Where is your father? No miracle can ordain faith. For them, this question will never be answered, since they know not who He is. copyright 2025 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

Not a poem.  Below are simply the phrases spoken by Jesus at Bethany. First to Martha, then Mary, a prayer of thanksgiving to the Father for the benefit of the crowd, and finally the command for his friend to rise from the tomb. John 11 He said this, ponder each of these phrases in your heart; Your brother will rise again. I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live,  and everyone who believes in me will never die. Do you believe this? Where have you laid him? Take away the stone. Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God? Father, I thank you for having heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I have said this for the sake of the crowd standing here, so they may believe that you sent me. Lazarus, come forth!

Have the authorities concluded that He is the Christ? John 7:26 Jesus Teaches the People by the Sea - James Tissot Why is it that we need to be told, especially by them who speak highly, who state their knowledge of the creator. Why is it that we cannot judge for ourselves. Often authorities lead us astray. They direct us where their thoughts guide them. Perhaps their thoughts are not always of God. Why is it that we can be witnesses to the blind gaining sight, to the leper being healed, to a child being told to rise from her bed, and still wait for those who ordain themselves as holy to speak their approval. copyright 2025 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author