Witness Is My Compass

Jesus was talking to his disciples and he explained that soon, he would be arrested, tried, killed and buried and three days later he would rise again.

Thomas, known to be a doubter, was sitting in the corner.  He shook his head and said to himself:

I don't believe in prophecies;

I don't believe in boasts.

I can't confess the living dead,

Like zombies, wraiths and ghosts.

I can't believe one rises from the burial tomb or grave;

No matter what their lineage, what they earned or what they gave.

A wispy apparition thus boasted of aloud,

Is not sufficient proof that Jesus tossed aside his shroud!

Witness is my compass,

Knowledge is my wealth;

I’ll only know what’s really real,

If I know it for myself.

Well, Jesus was arrested.  He was tried and hung on a cross.  He died and his friends placed him in a tomb.  On the third day, Mary went to anoint Jesus’ body with spices and she returned to the group of disciples all excited.

“The tomb is empty!” she said, “Jesus is risen!”

Thomas, who was known to be a doubter, shook his head and said to himself:

I don't believe in prophecies;

I don't believe in boasts.

I can't confess the living dead,

Like zombies, wraiths and ghosts.

I can't believe one rises from the burial tomb or grave;

No matter what their lineage, what they earned or what they gave.

A wispy apparition thus boasted of aloud,

Is not sufficient proof that Jesus tossed aside his shroud!

Witness is my compass,

Knowledge quells my fears;

I’ll only know what’s really real,

If I hear it with my ears!

Later that day, two friends of Jesus’ were walking the road to Emmaus.  They met a stranger on the way.  As they talked to him about Jesus and scripture, their hearts were warmed.  When the stranger was with them in their home and broke bread with them, they recognized the Living Christ.

They ran all the way back to the disciples in Jerusalem and announced, “We’ve seen Jesus.  He is risen!”

But Thomas, known to be a doubter, shook his head and said to himself:

I don't believe in prophecies;

I don't believe in boasts.

I can't confess the living dead,

Like zombies, wraiths and ghosts.

I can't believe one rises from the burial tomb or grave;

No matter what their lineage, what they earned or what they gave.

A wispy apparition thus boasted of aloud,

Is not sufficient proof that Jesus tossed aside his shroud!

Witness is my compass,

Knowledge is my guide;

I’ll only know what’s really real

If I see it with my eyes!

Later that week the disciples were gathered together in a room and the door was shut.  They were grieving, sad about Jesus’ death, wondering what they should do now.  They were telling stories about Jesus and remembering what he taught and how he wanted them to live.

Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them.

“Peace be with you,” Jesus said.  He breathed on them and said, “the Holy Spirit be with you.”

Thomas wasn’t with them when Jesus came.  The disciples told him about Jesus.

But Thomas, who was known to be a doubter, shook his head and said:

I don't believe in prophecies;

I don't believe in boasts.

I can't confess the living dead,

Like zombies, wraiths and ghosts.

I can't believe one rises from the burial tomb or grave;

No matter what their lineage, what they earned or what they gave.

A wispy apparition thus boasted of aloud,

Is not sufficient proof that Jesus tossed aside his shroud!

Witness is my compass,

Knowledge is my rose;

I’ll only know what’s really real,

If I smell it with my nose!.

The disciples went out fishing one night.  They fished and fished and fished, all night long, but didn’t catch a thing.  They were just about to row into shore, when a man on the bank said, ”Children you haven’t caught anything, have you?  Throw the nets in again.”

The disciples did as they were instructed and there were so many fish in the nets, they couldn’t pull them back into the boats.

Then they recognized Jesus and told everyone, “We’ve seen Jesus!  He is risen!”

But Thomas, who was known to be a doubter, shook his head and said,

I don't believe in prophecies;

I don't believe in boasts.

I can't confess the living dead,

Like zombies, wraiths and ghosts.

I can't believe one rises from the burial tomb or grave;

No matter what their lineage, what they earned or what they gave.

A wispy apparition thus boasted of aloud,

Is not sufficient proof that Jesus tossed aside his shroud

Witness is my compass,

Knowledge is my lands;

I’ll only know what’s really real

If I touch it with my hands.

Once again, the disciples were gathered in a room and the door was shut.  This time, Thomas was with them.  They were telling stories about Jesus and remembering what he taught and how he wanted them to live.

Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them.

“Peace be with you,” Jesus said. 

He showed his hands and side to Thomas and told him to touch his wounds.  “You believe,” said Jesus, “because you have seen me.  But those who believe but haven’t seen me are really blessed.”

Then Thomas, who was known to be a doubter, shook his head and said:

I don’t believe in prophets

I don’t believe in boasts.

I cant’ confess the living dead,

Like zombies, wraiths and ghosts.

But now I’ve really seen him with my  very own eyes.

He isn’t any living dead; he really did arise!

He’s not an apparition, boasted of aloud.

He’s living love incarnate: Love without a shroud!

Witness is my compass,

Knowledge must be sung;

Now I know he’s really real,

I’ll praise him with my tongue!