Rabbi Jeshua of Nazareth I often wonder how you’d feel Were you to hear the things they say Who claim to follow you.
Would you be happy with those books They claim are “Gospel Truth” And say “exactly” what you taught Correct in every detail?
Or are they something else?
But first, please, tell me did you think You were the Lord’s Anointed? Your people’s true Messiah? Despite – it seems – you much preferred To call yourself just, “Son of Man?”
And then I wonder what you’d think Were you to learn They say your mother never shared With her good husband Yussef A happy marriage bed?
Why do you think that more than that They say they know he’s not your Dad And adamantly claim you had No human father?
Instead, they say that you were born While she was still A maid who’d never known a man? Yes, Rabbi, truly, that’s their claim.
They also say you weren’t just good, But lived a “spotless, sinless life,” That never did you think or do a single act not “perfect.”
Which means, they say – they are quite sure – You never with yourself did play Or with a woman, or a man, Express desire at all!
They’re not content to say you spoke With words that challenged and inspired, And had a gentle touch which showed You knew the pain they felt
The suffering, guilt and weakness.
For did you not say that your God Requires of us to bring about A Kingdom based right here on earth Of justice and compassion?
Instead it seems they’d rather say You really did on water walk And calmed wild storms. That bread and fish you multiplied And exorcised fierce demons.
The also say You turned the cleansing jars Which held much water into richest wine, And even raised your friend from death Some days after his passing.
And if you were to say,“Oh yes. These stories that they quote, Like many words of mine, Are powerful, vivid tools we use To puzzle, move, inspire, provoke
Through poetry, jest and picture As pointers to that Kingdom.”
They will reply, “Oh No! For us with Faith, all this is Fact. Our Jesus is not just a man, or even a great prophet. He is the “Word Made Flesh” which means You see – he’s God in human form!”
“What’s more,” they cry, “He cannot die! For when so cruelly crucified, He rose in flesh the third day after.”
So – were you then to come back here – as they are sure you will – Would you be thanking them for keeping faith With all you taught and did? Your true disciples – or Might you just say,
“I fear these poor goyim have gone quite mad.”