Jackson Browne and The Rebel Jesus

"Now they call by the Prince of Peace
and they call Him by the Savior
And they pray to Him upon the seas
and in every bold endeavor
and they fill His churches with their pride and gold
as their faith in Him increases
but they've turned the nature that I've worshipped Him
from a temple to a robbers' den
in the words of the Rebel Jesus"

These words come from the song "The Rebel Jesus" by Jackson Browne. It's a Christmas song, but I think that it is now my theme song - at least for this season. Perhaps it will become the new theme song for our church.

Strangely the song ends (or perhaps not so strange at all) with the words, "I bid you pleasure, and I bid you cheer, from a Heathen and Pagan, on the side of the Rebel Jesus."

Could it be that in all our attention to the detail of doctrine, that the church has become like the Pharisees, who did not see God at all? Could it be that there are indeed "Heathen and Pagan[s]" who are more on the side of the Rebel Jesus than we ourselves?

Perhaps the church has lost its edge of rebellion against the Pharisees of our age in order to "fill His churches with their pride and gold." Jesus sided with the oppressed, and rebuked the religious leaders. I wonder if He might do the same today?

I think Jesus might be looking for a few good Rebels.