Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In "Jesus Walking," Anne Sexton offers a profound and imaginative meditation on the trials and burdens carried by Jesus during his time in the wilderness. The poem is rich with symbolism and religious imagery, exploring themes of suffering, perseverance, and the universal nature of human experience.

The poem begins with a striking image of Jesus entering the wilderness, not alone, but carrying "a man on his back." This man, or what seems to be a man, is described ambiguously: "a fisherman perhaps with a wet nose, / a baker perhaps with flour in his eyes." These descriptions suggest an everyman figure, representing ordinary people from all walks of life. The man is "dead it seems / and yet he was unkillable," which could symbolize the enduring nature of human suffering or sin — something that, while ever-present, cannot simply be eradicated or ignored.

Sexton then introduces the idea that "Jesus carried many men / yet there was only one man." This paradoxical statement suggests that the man Jesus carries is both an individual and a collective symbol. He represents all of humanity, burdened by the weight of sin, suffering, and mortality. The man could also be seen as a metaphor for the spiritual and emotional burdens that Jesus, and by extension all people, carry through life.

As Jesus walks through the wilderness, various temptations and distractions try to lure him away from his path. The bees with their honey, the boar offering its heart, and the devil himself all represent different forms of temptation — comfort, sacrifice, and power. However, Jesus remains steadfast, walking on with his burden. This persistence in the face of temptation underscores Jesus' role as a spiritual guide and savior, someone who carries the weight of the world without succumbing to the easier paths that could divert him from his mission.

The repetition of "Jesus walked on" emphasizes his unwavering determination. The devil, a figure of ultimate temptation, tries multiple tactics to deter Jesus: a physical assault, an illusion of the earth moving, and the creation of "a city of whores, / each in little angel beds." These temptations are not just physical but also moral and spiritual, challenging Jesus' commitment to his mission. Yet, despite these challenges, "Jesus walked on with his burden," indicating his resolve to fulfill his destiny and the weight of the responsibility he carries.

Sexton further deepens the poem's symbolism by expanding the man's burden into a cosmic scale. Jesus is not just carrying one man, but "all the trees of the world / which are one tree," "forty moons / which are one moon," and "all the boots / of all the men in the world / which are one boot." These images suggest the interconnectedness of all things in the universe — nature, time, humanity — and the way they converge into a singular, overwhelming burden. Jesus is depicted as carrying the entirety of existence, with all its pain and complexity.

The poem culminates in the profound realization that "He was carrying our blood. / One blood." This line suggests that Jesus is bearing the collective life force of humanity, the essence that unites all people. It is a powerful image of solidarity and sacrifice, as Jesus takes on the suffering and sins of all people as his own.

Finally, Sexton concludes with the line, "To pray, Jesus knew, / is to be a man carrying a man." This statement encapsulates the essence of the poem, tying together the themes of burden, empathy, and spiritual responsibility. Prayer, in this context, is not just a passive act of supplication but an active engagement with the suffering of others. To truly pray, according to Sexton, is to recognize and bear the weight of humanity's collective struggles, just as Jesus did.

"Jesus Walking" is a deeply evocative poem that reinterprets the biblical story of Jesus in the wilderness, using rich symbolism to explore the nature of suffering, responsibility, and the human condition. Sexton’s portrayal of Jesus as a figure who carries the burden of all humanity offers a powerful meditation on empathy and the universal struggles that bind us all together.

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