Day 6 -The Rebel Jesus - Musical Advent Calendar

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 gunsAnd we guard our fine possessionsAnd once a year when Christmas comesWe give to our relationsAnd perhaps we give a little to the poorIf the generosity should seize usBut if any one of us should interfereIn the business of why there are poorThey 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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