To Bring Heaven To Earth
by Michael Doyle

Alone in the desert for 40 days,
Jesus sacrificed for Heaven's ways.
Satan lurked, baiting another test.
The God's son was not allowed to rest.

Jesus was drawn there for contemplation.
Instead, the Devil offered His temptation.
The test was one of faith and true obedience,
While failure waited with false expedience.

The Father and not the tempter carried the day
As Jesus was determined to follow Heaven's ways.
The temptations of provision and of prominence,
Each had its absolute reasons of significance.

The second test was to put God's protection to the test,
Seeking protection from self-harm and not a jest.
Jesus knew He was protected under God's holy shadow,
Sometimes, such as these, it is enough to simply know.

In high places, Satan tempted Jesus with power,
Godly wisdom was enough to stop the Devil in this hour.
Jesus is the personification of Israel as a whole.
Satan would not derail the fulfillment of God's own soul.

From the moment of His holy baptism, He truly knew,
His invocation was to die for the likes of me and you.
Born to die is the dark heart of the Christian mystery,
God takes, shakes, and makes the unfolding of history.

The whole force of the glory, that which creates meaning,
All works together to shape the divine and the human being.
Into the living sacrifice, which is the point of this story.
God as the Son gave us life from sin turned to glory.

Jesus' ministry faced down the worst of the Adversary,
Once in the desert and then the Gardens of Gethsemane.
The sacrifice to come was given to fully atone
For humanity's sins, which, of course, weren't His own.

The costs of the sins of this world as this is understood,
Took the ghastly death of the man of perfected good.
The cup of judgment poured out to cover mankind's sin,
Not Jesus's will but God's for the good of all men.

The crucifixion shattered the link between sin and death,
And still He forgave all of humanity with His last breath.
Hopeful assurance advanced that day that Heaven will prevail.
This is the purpose and very center of God's earthly trail.

(c)April 24, 2026   Michael Doyle
All Rights Reserved