There is a rhythm in the world,
A grouping older than the seas.
As whispered through eternity—
The mystery and the power of three.
The power of three:
Is what I find within the story of the passion,
As Jesus of Nazareth is arrested and tried.
May you be blessed with this poetical expression.
The power of three:
Three instructions for Passover—look, follow, prepare.
Three elements at the table—bread, wine, betrayal.
Three times Peter, you will deny me.
The power of three:
Three go deeper into the garden.
Three prayers are spoken in anguish.
Three times they are found asleep.
Three legs steady every stool.
Three chords hold songs in harmony.
Three-strand cord is not easily broken—
How strong, how strange, the power of three.
The power of three:
Three Jewish trials—Annas, Caiaphas, Sanhedrin.
Three Roman trials—Pilate, Herod, Pilate again.
Three Peter denials—servant girl, bystander, a group.
The power of three:
Three times Pilate declares, “No charge.”
Three times the crowd cry, “Crucify him!”
Three tens of silver—exchange betraying hands.
The power of three:
Three mockery scenes he withstands,
Three persons crucified on Skull Hill.
Three hours of darkness veil the land.
The power of three:
Three Marys watch from a distance.
Three days he lies within the tomb.
Three days later—he stands alive.
The power of three:
Three meet and talk upon the road.
Three women bear first witness.
Three risen appearances—to his disciples.
The power of three:
Three questions Jesus asks of Peter.
Three replies—“You know I love you.”
Three charges: “Feed my sheep.”
The power of three:
Three Persons—Father, Son, and Spirit.
Three signs of character—do, behave, and speak.
Three spheres of life—past, present, future.
Zechariah speaks—two-thirds shall fall.
One-third remains, refined by flame.
The Shepherd struck, the sheep scattered.
The remnant calls.
He answers.
The power of three—
“Where two or three are gathered in my name,
I am there among them.”
*© stephen c douglas**
kiwi.poet, Good Friday 2025*