Musical Advent Calendar With Rick Lee James
Day 6 - The Rebel Jesus (written by Jackson Browne)
Sometimes people on the outside of Christianity are the best ones to give an accurate critique of it. Jackson Browne makes no claim of being a Christian. In fact, in the lyrics of this song he states that he is a heathen and a pagan, but one who is on the side of the rebel Jesus.
Critics of Christianity can often be mean-spirited and biting with their criticism, and while Browne is not easy on the church, he seems to have the heart of a loving neighbor who wants to offer the most generous and loving critique possible, for its own good. You can hear how Browne’s heart for the poor resonates with the heart of Christ, and also Browne’s frustration with the way that the Church has too often aligned itself with Christ’s enemies, guarding its gold with locks and guns, rather than laying down its life for those in need.
We guard our world with locks and guns
And we guard our fine possessions
And once a year when Christmas comes
We give to our relations
And perhaps we give a little to the poor
If the generosity should seize us
But if any one of us should interfere
In the business of why there are poor
They get the same as the rebel Jesus
Proverbs 27:6 tells us that the wounds of a friend are trustworthy and in these lyrics from Jackson Browne, I believe the church has a trustworthy friend, on the side of the rebel Jesus.
-RLJ
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Day 6 -The Rebel Jesus - Musical Advent Calendar