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If Jesus Were Just a Prophet

If Jesus were just a prophet,
Then I need some things explained.
Like the steadfast dedication,
Of disciples who remained.
 
In fear, they fled the temple guards,
When their Savior was betrayed.
They ran and hid themselves away,
So what inspired their crusade?
 
They left Him in His darkest hour,
Their own lives, they wished to save.
Why would they not remain concealed
And leave the dead in their grave?
 
After Jesus was crucified,
They went on to spread His word,
The very word that killed their Lord,
Yet this left them undeterred.
 
In the end they were also killed,
Without fear they met their fate.
Still preaching His resurrection,
Sure He’d meet them at the gate.
 
What gave them such tenacity,
When before, they hid from view?
Why perish for a false belief,
If they knew it wasn’t true?
 
There are two human reactions,
In the face of such a plight.
When life and death presents itself,
We respond with fight or flight.
 
These are primal human instincts,
They don’t change from day to day.
Disciples wouldn’t challenge death,
If, before, they ran away.
 
Christianity should have died
Along with Christ, on that cross.
That’s how it went for other cults,
After THEIR messiah’s loss.
 
What gave this group of fearful men
Such a boost of fortitude?
What made them take so many risks?
Why the change in attitude?
 
Their Lord would rise on the third day,
That’s what Jesus promised them.
But if He failed to keep that oath,
Would they really die for Him?
 
For each one of Christ’s Apostles
Overcame their fear of death.
And in the end, they prayed to Him,
As they breathed their final breath.
 
It was THEY who spread the gospel,
To kingdoms across the sea.
And in those lands, they gave their lives
For this…Christianity.
 
If Jesus were just a prophet,
Would these men have done the same?
Had He not risen from the dead,
Would we even know his name?

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