Peter hauled him aside:
"That thing you said,
about there being so much more you could teach us–
about God,
about life…"

"Each people, each time
will have its own learning," he responded,
"its own slow steps in the kingdom.

"I have talked to you of love
    in the face of hatred,
of peace
    in the place of violence,
of distributive justice
    in the place of wealth,
and this is enough for now.

"But one day we will tackle
religious plurality,
gender equality,
sexual orientation,
racism
and non-duality."

Peter, puzzled, shook his head.

"Exactly," said Jesus.
"So much more to say,
 but you're not ready yet.
There are truths
into which future generations–
with the help of my Spirit–
and women and men of great courage–
shall be led.

"We will be gone,
but the truth will grow on."

Text and image © 2012 by Dirk deVries. All rights reserved.