They caught me
As I walked home
Newfound hope
……………………………………………………………………. Tucked safe inside
……………………………………………………………………. My safe place:
………………………………………………………..……………“Neither do I condemn you.
……………………………………………………………………. Go …
… And sin no more.”
They caught me
As I walked home.
I felt their hands
Yank me into an alley.
I looked up in terror.
I saw their eyes,
Rage filled,
…………. and I dove
…………………….. down deep
…………………………………… through the tunnel
……………………………………………………………………. And into my safe place.
……………………………………………………………………. I left my body behind
……………………………………………………………………. In the hands of the brutes.
……………………………………………………………………. I covered my ears
As I heard her screams begin,
As I heard the sound
Of doors closing
And curtains drawn
Along the street.
……………………………………………………………………. Is there no one to witness?
……………………………………………………………………. Is there no one to get help?
……………………………………………………………………. Not even myself?
“How dare you humiliate us!
How dare you make us look bad!
We ARE without sin!
It was all your fault!
How dare you look beautiful
And tempt us to take you
And then blame us!”
With each word,
A blow from a whip
………. A stone thrown
………………… Into the pool between.
……………………………… Water floods the tunnel
……………………………………………………………………. And up into my safe place.
……………………………………………………………………. Salt water — tears
……………………………………………………………………. To drown my newfound hope,
……………………………………………………………………. To drown me in despair.
……………………………………………………………………. Will no one help?
……………………………………………………………………. But all the doors and windows
……………………………………………………………………. On the street have closed.
……………………………………………………………………. There is only I to witness.
……………………………………………………………………. Only I to help.
……………………………………………………………………. What can I do to help her
Sobbing alone on the street
Pleading for mercy?
……………………………… …………………………………….I pass her
………………………………………………….. my tools
……………….. ……………..through
…………… ..the tunnel.
Apologize.
Act submissive.
Take the blame. No No No!
…………………………………………………………………….“Neither do I condemn you.”
…………………………………………………………………….It’s not my fault!
…………………………………………………………………….I won’t take the blame anymore.
…………………………………………………………………….Did Jesus know?
Did he know that
My father would take me
After he returned from the synagogue?
…………………………………………………………………….Did Jesus know?
Did he know that
My husband would lend me out
For favors to his friends
And the synagogue leaders?
…………………………………………………………………….I don’t know.
…………………………………………………………………….I won’t know.
…………………………………………………………………….Not in my safe place.
She holds that knowledge
…………………………………………………………………….Keeps me safe from
that pain.
…………………………………………………………………….I want to help her.
…………………………………………………………………….Is there another tool?
……….. ……………………… …………..Just submit.
……………………. ……… …Let them
……. …………. Have what
……….. They want.
NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO
…………………………………………………………………….He said, “Sin, no more.”
…………………………………………………………………….I don’t have to submit to sin anymore!
My body quivers,
On fire.
She barely whimpers anymore,
…………………………………………………………………….But I cry out:
…………………………………………………………………….“Oh Jesus, help.
…………………………………………………………………….You who wielded a whip,
…………………………………………………………………….And drove out the money changers,
…………………………………………………………………….Kinsman redeemer,
…………………………………………………………………….Vindicate me.”
A hand grabs the wrist
Which hold the whip.
A body interposes himself
Between my body and my attackers.
A rock hits his shoulder,
……………………………………………………………………….As I watch from my safe place.
He cries, NO!
I said
……“No Condemnation!”
He
………..reaches
…… …………… ..down
…………. ………………. …through
……………. …………………………. ….the
……………………. …………………………… ….tunnel
……………………………………………………………………….To where I watch
……………………………………………………………………….From my safe place.
……………………………………………………………………….“Come to me,
……………………………………………………………………….Delight of My Heart!
……………………………………………………………………….Come to me,
……………………………………………………………………….Apple of My Eye!”
He bent down and fed me
……………………………………………………………………….Words of Love.
He took my body.
He bound her wounds
Tenderly in balm and cloth.
He bent down and touched me
……………………………………………………………………….With gentleness and kindness.
……………. ………………. …..He drew
………. …………….. …….. ..Me out
………. ………….. ….From my
………………. .Hiding place
……………..With his love.
“Remain with me, My Love.
I AM your safe place.
I AM He who redeems you.
I AM He who vindicates you.
I AM your Kinsman Redeemer who avenges your wounds.
I BRING JUSTICE FOR OPPRESSED AND FOR OPPRESSOR — CAST OUT!”