Jesus Christ

Over the past few months, I have become more and more obsessed with the song "Jesus Christ" by Brand New. Anyone who knows me (these days or from before) might understand the love affair. The lyrics:

"Jesus Christ, that's a pretty face
The kind you'd find on someone that could save
If they don't put me away
It’ll be a miracle

Do you believe you're missing out?
That everything good is happening somewhere else
With nobody in your bed
The night is hard to get through

And I will die all alone
And when I arrive I won’t know anyone

Jesus Christ, I’m alone again
So what did you do those three days you were dead?
Because this problem is gonna last
More than the weekend

Jesus Christ I’m not scared to die
But I’m a little bit scared of what comes after
Do I get the gold chariot
Or do I float through the ceiling

Or do I divide and pull apart
Cause my bright is too slight to hold back all my dark
This ship went down in sight of land
And at the gates does Thomas ask to see my hands?

I know you're coming in the night like a thief
But I’ve had some time, O Lord, to hone my lying technique
I know you think that I’m someone you can trust
But I’m scared I’ll get scared and I swear I’ll try to nail you back up
So do you think that we could work out a sign
So I’ll know it's you and that it's over so I won't even try
I know you're coming for the people like me
But we all got wood and nails
And we turn out hate in factories
We all got wood and nails
And we turn out hate in factories
We all got wood and nails
And we sleep inside of this machine..."--Brand New

The song strikes me on so many levels. It seems a song not of repentance, but of pure honesty. Not a song of rejection, but of acceptance. Not a song of sadness or joy, but of a particular reality. What a prayer to offer up, letting the savior of your childhood know that things have changed since that cold, fateful Sunday morning. Sometimes, I wonder if (Doubting) Thomas will be one of the most popular folks in heaven, as he represents the whole of (at least modern-day) Christians. 50% detest him for his lack of faith, 50% understand, give or take most of those percentage points.

Anyways, thought I would share, in case you find any connection in the lyrics. If you want to hear the song, you can find it in my music player below.

Maybe it's time to work on those signs.

shanti,
mjh