What Found Contemporaries In Jesus of Nazareth

What found the Magi from countries afar
Led by the light of Israel’s star?
Bethlehem’s babe in a manger asleep,
Promise of joy for the nations to keep.

What saw the shepherds in watch of the night?
Angels descending with heavenly light,
Hope for the outcast and poor of the land,
Equal with peasants and princes to stand.

Nazareth city with never good thing
Roman or Greek for poor folk to bring.
Shocked was the synagogue, men of the home
Heard Jesus’ claim as Messiah alone.

What thought the crowd as they gathered to hear
Wonderful words to encourage and cheer?
Calling on men to repent and be whole,
Food in the desert for body and soul.

What thought the fisher, the publican mean,
Faithful to witness the things they had seen,
Was this the prophet, the teacher supreme,
Or the Messiah of Israel’s dream?

Sadducee and Pharisee boldly denied
One who would humble their conscience and pride;
Preaching much more than their righteousness knew
Calling for faith in God’s spirit anew.

What might the militant patriots see?
One who would lead a revolt to be free
Put down the Romans, the taxes release
And usher in a great day of peace.

What of the woman and child of the time?
Jesus held hope of position sublime,
Humble and homely, best and the worst,
Jesus had sympathy, place with the first.

What of that Israel scattered on earth
Dwelling with people with varying birth
Proselytes, traders of differing thought,
Far from the lessons the Temple had taught?

What thought disciples, His loved and His own
Drawn from the world for a place ’round his throne:
Heralded, hated, but Chosen of God,
Crucified, risen, with Life in His blood.

Patriarch, prophet, and Psalmist all sing
Jesus is coming — the conquering King.
While crowds of witness His glory proclaim
Sing hallelujah and joy in His name.

What said the Master in time far away,
Life now and ever for men of today
Ever applying to things old and new
Christ is the answer for me and for you!