“On this mountain he will destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples, the sheet that covers all nations; he will swallow up death forever.”
—Isaiah 25:7–8a

To cover people everywhere—
no rush—in soft and muffling folds,
it still is waiting, ready there
to wrap each body that it holds

throughout the coming night; this sheet
which winds so silently is strong;
no human hands have strength to rip
this cloth from those who sleep so long.

But now a body comes whose flesh
is lacerated, bleeding, torn,
a curtain opened wide when wrapped
in death (the reason He was born).

His hands, though pierced, are powerful
enough to tear this shroud from top
to bottom, opening the way
to life, for He now lives to stop

the winding power of death destroyed
forever; you that He will raise,
released, unbound, and made alive,
oh, stand, come forth and shout His praise!

Ordained Servant, November 2019.