THE FIRST AND THE LAST


BY


Laura Lee Christian


Oh Mary,
the exultation
of this moment
the joy and ecstasy,
how your Savior
could have come out of
the dark tomb.
Could it really be true?
Oh yes, Jesus I do
see you.
You truly are the Savior of
the world,
and the Lord 
of all mankind.
I saw you die
a horrible death
and yet you're here
in front of me.
Oh tell me Lord
it's really true
hold me close,
so close to you.
Now I can have
hope in life
and hope in my own death.
For I have seen
our risen Savior
who has broken the
bars of death.
My lovely one
my precious one
Who's washed me from my sins.
You spilt your blood
in anquish and dishonor
but now the trial
is over.
I see you my most precious Lord
arisen from decay
the perfume I brought
to anoint your body
I no longer need.
Oh take me home
where you are going
but if I must stay
for now,
then stay with us
and please don't leave.
We need you still,
you know.
Oh Son of God
so bright in power
if I'd only recognized you before,
as you are now,
how much more I would have
appreciated you.
Continue to rise
to your eternal glory.
Home to the Father
you must go.
Oh thank you Lord
for taking on your precious body,
the pain of death
and the fears of Hell.
I wouldn't want to go there.
You gave your life
so I might live,
so precious a reality.
Oh son of God,
oh spotless Lamb,
you truly came to save us.
Oh help us tell
the whole wide world
so others may know
and follow too.
Oh help them believe
all countless generations,
that you have solved 
the problem.
Our deepest darkest
problem
is death.
But you have conquered,
you reign victorious.
You've escaped
its evil claws,
and its hateful
destitution.
You've escaped
its iron grip,
and merciless
desecration.
In the brightness of
your love
I behold you now.
Oh wondrous love
you truly are stronger than death,
and stronger than
my own death too.
I now can put all fear
aside
and enjoy an Easter lily
or the ocean side,
shining forth your glory
at the setting of the sun,
or a little child
laughing and on the run.
Fear, where are you?
dissipated, gone, 
conquered by the One.
God's beloved Son.
Oh thank you my dear God
for giving Him to me
for allowing Him to pay
sin's dark penalty.
By arising from the grave
like the pleasant morning sun
He made new sons of God
and sent demons on the run.
Lay aside your grave clothes
and put away your past.
Walk with Him in the light
His name is "The First and The Last".
