Jesus Christ
The light of the world
Love incarnate
Reduced to the poster boy for hate
I’m irate
At the way
They’ve bastardized Your name
A friend once told me that trying to see God through people was like trying to look through a dirty glass
I’ll testify to that pass
Alas
People conspired for His character defamation
In the name of salvation
I’m shaken
At the thought of all the souls deprived
Of His comfort
By those who put their politics first
Modern-day Pharisees
I believe
If Jesus arrived today
Without the prophesied grand display
That He’d be crucified again or hanged
By the people who “praise” His name
What a shame
His message of justice, peace, and mercy
Would be turned into political controversey
Again
The powers that be would be threatened by He
Who speaks out against those who target the weak
Like the religious leaders in ancient Jerusalem
Our government leaders would conspire to kill Him
Because they don’t know the real Jesus
Or maybe they do, but they’re twisting Him to drive a wedge inbetween us
The real Jesus is love
The real Jesus is comfort
The real Jesus is forgiveness
Redemption
Grace
Peace
The real Jesus is gentle
Always patient
He is strength
He is hope
He is everything
The real Jesus wouldn’t wear a red
It needs to be said
The real Jesus would lead protests
Calling out the abuse of power He detests
Would fight for the marginalized and underpaid
Offer “free dad hugs” at Pride parades
He would be feeding people on the streets
Fluffing pillows and adjusting hospital sheets
He’d be visiting the death row inmate
And talking people off edges before it’s too late
He would extend His hand
Wrap them up in His arms
And tell them they’re loved and safe from harm
But because they don’t know the real Jesus
They victimize Him twice
Once on the cross
Then immortalizing Him as an object to hate and mock
Spitting upon His name in vain
For capital and political gain
A false idol waxed in orange
Claiming You’re someone he adores
But ignores Your message of justice and mercy
Convincing people that they are unworthy
They cut off the widow and orphan on welfare
Makes it impossible for the sick to get healthcare
Riling us up against each other
So that we’re so busy hating our sisters or brothers
That we don’t notice that the scales have been tipped
That a counterfeit Jesus is praised in our midst
When the real Jesus preached against everything
Christian
Nationalism
Stands
For
I desist
This is a problem I want to fix
Because there’s a grave error in this connotation
The Light of the World – victim of character assassination
Absolutely beautiful Abby!
I like how you subvert the narrative with your own. If you maybe wanted your critiaue to be a little more explicit, you could even title it “Jesus Wouldn’t Wear a Red Hat” !
Abby! This is such a powerful and moving piece. I felt this so deeply. Your way you describe Jesus and how he would be treated if He returned today, is so honest and yet true. I love this piece so much. You should share everywhere!!