Jesus Bids You Come and Die

Pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer once said, “When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.” Inspired by that phrase, I wrote this poem to reflect the Bible’s hope-filled paradoxical teaching that death leads to life. I hope it brings you comfort.

“Jesus bids You Come and Die”

Jesus bids you come and die
Die that you might live

My plans
My dreams
My hopes
My fears
My wedding
My graduation
My job
My tears

Jesus bids you come and die
Die that you might live

My pride
My impatience
My anger
My pain
My jealousy
My sarcasms
My smirks
My complaints

Jesus bids you come and die
Die that you might live

If lost
be found
If empty
be filled
If lonely
be encouraged
If in despair
be cheered

If without purpose
find direction
If without peace
find confession
If without community
find connection
If without love
find God’s affection

Jesus bids you come and die
Die that you might live

Whether young
or old
When death takes hold
Shortness of breath
Shivering cold
To God
I am bold
Saying

Jesus now I come to die
I die and yet I live

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life.
The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.
John 11:25