John 3:16

Luke Shalz

Why Eden broke and Sodom quoke,

and Christ the kiss had sold,

Where ev’ry blot and stripe of loss,

finds origin so cold.

Beyond the fright of story’s might,

and ‘neath the truths of ink,

is seen a fortune rimed and iced,

an offering distinct:

“So be as God and forge thy law”,

the icy mass suggests,

“for surely Christ and Mary too

desire thy happiness.”

A pleasant way to live today,

and even ‘fore that kiss:

to smuggle frost from fiery depths,

and wake for frozen bliss.

For God the world did love so dear

that Christ His Son He gave.

That faithful men might live so warm,

He suffered nail and grave.

As frost is softened, losing bite,

By tender rays of Sun,

That law I’ve forged, that god I’ve been:

they’re shadowed by the Son.

“Come follow me—give up your life

As I did once for thee”,

The Savior calls from ‘midst the halls

of love’s warm, bright eternity.