Bleeding Drops of Red

O Captain! My Captain!

BY WALT WHITMAN

O Captain! my Captain! our fearful trip is done,

The ship has weather’d every rack, the prize we sought is won,

The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting,

While follow eyes the steady keel, the vessel grim and daring;

                         But O heart! heart! heart!

                            O the bleeding drops of red,

                               Where on the deck my Captain lies,

                                  Fallen cold and dead.

O Captain! my Captain! rise up and hear the bells;

Rise up—for you the flag is flung—for you the bugle trills,

For you bouquets and ribbon’d wreaths—for you the shores a-crowding,

For you they call, the swaying mass, their eager faces turning;

                         Here Captain! dear father!

                            The arm beneath your head!

                               It is some dream that on the deck,

                                 You’ve fallen cold and dead.

My Captain does not answer, his lips are pale and still,

My father does not feel my arm, he has no pulse nor will,

The ship is anchor’d safe and sound, its voyage closed and done,

From fearful trip the victor ship comes in with object won;

                         Exult O shores, and ring O bells!

                            But I with mournful tread,

                               Walk the deck my Captain lies,

                                  Fallen cold and dead.

Source: Leaves of Grass (David McKay, 1891)

I was shocked to learn of the death of Robin Williams.  I know you were to.  The sorrow is made worse as we learn that the death was by his own hand.  How could a man who made so many sides split with laughter, who supplied so many fond movie memories, who came into our living rooms as the bizarre alien Mork from the planet Ork, be swallowed up by such darkness? 

The darkness of the fallen world slaps pop-culture in the face.  Yes, even TV land cannot hide from its devouring jaws. In second thought I'm not so sure how shocked I really am. The darkness of depression, mental illness, takes it toll on the funnymen and women who entertain us all to often.  This is nothing new.  Behind the jokes and accolades there is deep deep torment.  Why do these people hurt? Broken relationships, loneliness, loss, drugs, confusion, fear,emptiness.  Did he see his empire of jokes, movies, charters, as mere dirt?  

Satan is a jerk.  The prowling lion lurks taking advantage of the lowly. The deceiver  wants nothing more then to drag hurting people into the depths of woe.  Oh, bitter woe.  Your sting consumes and steals away life.  Ironically this sorrow steals the life from the world that disregards the very gift of life. 

As you share the clips and quotes of the great comedian on Facebook, reminisce, or gather on the sofa to watch Good Will Hunting.  You may find temporal comfort, a passing solace.  Remember there are still those who hurt and grieve, who suffer the pain of depression and anxiety.  Far to many people struggle to find peace and hope. They may cry out.  They may not.  They may be considering the path of Robin William. I pray not.  For it is in times like this we are called to give a reason for the hope that is with in us as we come along side of the hurting to offer care.   

Into the darkness a light breaks forth.  From the pit he delivers the lost.  The Son of God takes on the devastation by entering into the vale of tears making good on the promise to crush the head of the serpent. Hanging on the cross he hangs in silence, bleeding drops of red. Blood shed for the lowly and down trodden. The sky is pitch black.  The tears of and terror of mother and disciples flow uncontrollably at the sight.  The earth shakes and the curtain rips in two.  The Son calls out to His Father. The final shout "it is finished!"

Death could not trap him.  He did not stay in the tomb.  He rose.  Jesus lives, for you and for me.  He offers hope and promise in the mist of devastation.  Have no fear.  By His ascension He comes ever closer, dwelling with us in the darkness now though water, bread, wine and the proclamation of forgiveness.  He brings mercy and peace. The Good Shepherd lifts up the lost and carries them into restoration. Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. In times of happiness or when we enter into the depths Jesus is our refuge and strength who promises to deliver us from a world of tears to a new life everlasting free of sorrow and strife.  O death where is you sting?

 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy,he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading,kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
1 Peter 1:3-9