This sonnet is next in the series That You May Believe. It is based on John 3:22-36 when John’s disciples come to John with the complaint that Jesus is baptizing and all are going over to him. John corrects his disciples and shows them how they have become disconnected from the gospel and King to whom they are to bear witness and in whom, rejoice.

If it’s helpful you may listen to me read the sonnet via the player below.

Blinded by jealousy — a joyless hour
Is his coming. Instead, resentment fills
And boils bubbling over bilious and sour;
Though giv’n all things, I’m empty, unfulfilled.
Don’t you know who I am, know what I do?
How hard I’ve worked and faithfully served
In the heat of the day? It’s me who’s due
The honor and respect of being heard.

What thou needest is to learn, receive grace,
Give up, lay down, get low, humility;
Learn to behold with joy the bridegroom’s face,
Die to demands, trust his ability.
In welcome and rejoicing thou shalt see
That thou art his bride, that he comes for thee.

© Randy Edwards 2018.
This sonnet is for Christ’s church. If it is helpful, please feel free to copy or reprint in church bulletins, read aloud, or repost. I only ask that an attribution be cited to myself (Randall Edwards) and this blog (backwardmutters.com). Thanks.
Artwork: Yelkrokoyade [Public domain or CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)%5D, via Wikimedia Commons