Seeing Jesus (poem) by john k zimmerman on AuthorsDen

Seeing Jesus
by john k zimmerman → (All Poetry by john k zimmerman)

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Thoreau once lammented that Christianity had been reduced to a better method of agriculture; Marx called religion an opiate. They were both right. The problem did not start with Jesus This my take on the man and is part of my passiontide collection
Sir, we would see Jesus Some Greeks came to Phillip one day “Sir, we would see Jesus”it was easy As the son of Joseph was right there For Phillip to bring the Greeks to the man But in our day its on so easy Too many false Jesus’ out there Too many misconception out there Twenty centuries of error out there... Jesus had brown eyes, brown skin Black. Hair. He was a jew from Galilee. He was a tradesman a Worker of wood. Hard of hand Robust of body. He was a friend Of the poor and those whom society Excluded – prostitutes, fishermen, Tax collectors, Shepards. Those Who society then as now called Outcast and sinner. He loved to Eat and drink with his friends- He has a sharp wit a quick laugh These days there are those who Would cast Jesus as the defender Of the status quo: this is not just wrong But so wrong as to be criminal... To the status quo of his day Jesus Was a dangerous radical. His choice Of friends, his life style, his message Challenged the status quo. “Blessed are the poor, the hungry The mourners, those who are hated And abused.” “Love your enemies, Bless those who hate you.” Radical, Radical stuff. “Treat others as you Want to be treated.” most galling To those in power was Jesus’ solidarity With the poor, and with outcasts and sinners. Solidarity marked by his willingness to Eat and drink with them. Radical in his Relationship with women. He befriended Them from the high born to the whore. He spoke to them as equql and against all Tradition he taught them. Solidarity with The poor and with women – no wonder That his family thought he was crazy! Too many false Jesus’ out there Too many “gentle Jesus meek and mild” Too many co-opted saviours out there Twenty centuries of error out there... Sir, we would see Jesus the real Jesus, The Jesus with the power to call Men and women to a deep conversion To a radical restructuring of their world . . . .

Reviewed by Aamie Burnley

Reviewed on April 10, 2003

...you have a large opportunity here: it well be interesting to observe. too bad the message of jesus has gotten mixed into the politics of religious doctrine. i thing the ‘my way, or the highway to hell’ theology has closed a lot of doors to the work of the kingdom.

Reviewed by Morchuis

Hi John,
Hopefully the start of another good debate, provided the self rightous don't spoilt it.
I have a question? why does every one turn round to stare at me when I walk into a church.
they never do it when I go into a telephone booth.
just wondered.
very good poem. all the best. Morchuis

Reviewed by Elizabeth Taylor (Reader)

Reviewed on April 9, 2003

"...Twenty centuries of error out there..."
That has more truth to it than you may realize. Biblical archeology is showing that Jesus came from an affluent family, and was not born in a stable, but a house of some wealthy friends of Joseph.

Well done, John.

Reviewed by jude forese

yes, the world is full of false prophets...

Reviewed by Oisín Breen (Reader)

an excellent fabulous description of intellect
namaste

Reviewed by E T Waldron

Excellent! Bulls eye! You make me have to post my radical revolutionary!;-) Thanks

Reviewed by Karen Lynn Vidra, The Texas Tornado

good write, john! this blessed me through and through; thanks so much for sharing! love, your friend, karen lynn in texas. (((HUGS))) :)

Reviewed by Lady Peg (Reader)

john,
this was a blessing Peg

Reviewed by Tinka Boukes

Jesus is the one and only!!

Reviewed by Janet Caldwell

This has blessed me. They call all the greats crazy but there is only one Jesus.

Love, JC xoxoxo

Reviewed by Erica Ivory

Wow wow wow.... Yes... To many pretenders... too many who "think" they know the way... When it is so simple... just be a good soul.. treat all like you would want to be treated and then no matter what... I think God/Jesus will see into the hearts of all. .. If indeed he is there.