Pilgrim Ramblings presents… Jared (New blogger)

 

My friend and fellow N.T. Wright enthusiast Jared Thomasson is now going to be a contributor to this blog (Yes, he is the man sticking his tongue in my ear in the picture above). Jared is a great thinker, and he probably is more widespread in his thoughts than most people I know, so he’ll probably have posts on various topics from music to philosophy and politics to history. So those of you who read this blog will actually have some new material to think about! Hopefully he will post more than Eric, which if he posts just once then he will have surpassed him. Rob’s not posting a lot these days but he has more on his plate than the rest of us right now, but hopefully he’ll return soon.

Well that is all for now.

Lover

This week is Holy Week, the remembrance of Christ approaching his cross, embracing his crucifixion and death, only to be resurrected three day later. Over the last couple of years, Derek Webb has become one of my favorite musicians, and he has a particular song called Lover that I find appropriate for this time of year. It recalls many themes of Holy Week and offers an interpretation on what Jesus felt and feels to this day for the church and this world. Here are the lyrics, hope you enjoy:

like a man comes to an alter i came into this town
with the world upon my shoulders and promises passed down
and i went into the water and my father, he was pleased
i built it and i’ll tear it down so you will be set free

but i found thieves and salesmen living in my father’s house
i know how they got in here and i know how to get ‘em out
i’m turning this place over from floor to balcony
and then just like these doves and sheep you will be set free

i’ve always been a lover from before i drew a breath
some things i loved easy and some i loved to death
because love’s no politician, it listens carefully
so of those who come i can’t lose one, so you will be set free

but go on and take my picture, go on and make me up
i’ll still be your defender, you’ll be my missing son
and i’ll send out an army just to bring you back to me
because regardless of your brother’s lies you will be set free

i am my beloved’s and my beloved’s mine
so you bring all your history and i’ll bring the bread and wine
and we’ll have us a party where all the drinks are on me
then as surely as the rising sun you will be set free