Music and Poetry (4)
The poetry of Catherine Baird
Catherine Baird was a gifted writer and, as a Salvation Army Officer, was used in that capacity for Salvation Army publications. In addition, she wrote poetry and song words, some of which are in the Salvation Army Songbook. These devotional thoughts are linked to some of her songs.
John 11:14-16 New International Version (NIV)
14 So then he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead, 15 and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.”
16 Then Thomas (also known as Didymus[a]) said to the rest of the disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”
John 11:20-27 New International Version (NIV)
20 When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home.
21 “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”
23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”
24 Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”
25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
27 “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”
Devotional thoughts by Lt. Colonel Diane O’Brien
Jesus spent a lot of His ministry around the shores of Galilee.
Those who have travelled there will remember the size and volatility of this inland sea. A storm can suddenly come sweeping in and disturb the calm, and just as unexpectedly, peace follows. The fishermen turned disciples knew it well. It was where they worked before they followed Jesus.
And it is easy to imagine Jesus standing by the shore, as described in the beautiful words of Catherine Baird.
The song leads us through from the shadow of the future cross, to the assurance of triumph.
John, chapter 11 records Jesus making His way to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, Martha and Mary. In this tender story, both sisters make the same statement to Jesus “If you had been here my brother would not have died”. His response to them met their individual need. And His answer to Martha gives us one of the great “I am” teachings.
“I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me, will never die” (John 11:25 NIV)
The future life that Christ demonstrated, is for His followers too.
Hear the victory song …
But when the winds triumphantly
Swept from the open plain,
The Master surely heard the song:
The Lord shall live again!
From The Salvation Army Songbook – #209 verse 4
When Jesus looked o’er Galilee,
So blue and calm and fair,
Upon her bosom, could He see
A cross reflected there?
When sunrise dyed the lovely deeps
And sparkled in His hair,
O did the light rays seem to say:
A crown of thorns He’ll wear?
When in the hush of eventide
Cool waters touched His feet,
Was it a hymn of Calvary’s road
He heard the waves repeat?
But when the winds triumphantly
Swept from the open plain,
The Master surely heard the song:
The Lord shall live again