Your Great Reward

I prayed, "I was grabbed."
Jesus asked, "Were you nabbed?"

I said, "I was controlled."
Jesus asked, "Were you sold?"

I said, "I was teased."
Jesus asked, "Were you seized?"

I said, "I was stalked."
Jesus asked, "Were you mocked?"

I said, "I had cried."
Jesus asked, "Were you 'tried'?"

I said, "I was used."
Jesus asked, "Were you accused?"

I said, "They were cheatin'."
Jesus asked,"Were you beaten?"

I said, "I was stripped."
Jesus asked, "Were you whipped?"

I said, "I was jailed."
Jesus asked, "Were you nailed?"
(pause)
I said, "I sat in dung."
Jesus asked, "Were you hung?"
(pause)
I said, "I was a slave."
Jesus said, "I forgave."
(longer pause)
I said feebly, "I cried and cried..."
Jesus said, "I died."

With heavy heart, I said, "Forgive me."
Jesus said simply, "Follow me."

I repeated, "Forgive me please!"
And Jesus said, "The least of these."

I said, "To the truth, I've been asleep."
So Jesus said, "Come. Feed my sheep."

Then I said, "I've been awakened."
Jesus added, "...but never forsaken."

I said, "I can see! Heaven has opened up!"
Jesus said, "You are free. Take my cup."

I said, "Thank you, thank you, thank you Lord."
And Jesus said, "It is prepared- your great reward."

This poem was a finalist in the June 2016 poetry contest