IF JESUS CAME TO WICHITA - A Poem About Rich Mullins

photo: Jimmy Abegg

It was while visiting Rich and Beaker in Witchita that Julie, who later became Mrs. Beaker, made some comment about how Rich was known as the Jesus of Wichita. I found that an interesting image and wanting to throw a few questions out about Jesus I used Rich's life as a springboard to being provocative. For a long time I didn't say it was about Rich because I knew his camel cigarettes and his Budweiser beer would not do his image any good in CCM. Brian Quincey Newcomb writes about how Camels were edited from one of his pieces on Rich. Anyway this is not putting Rich in any divine terms, though he was a pretty committed disciple. I read it one night when I was interviewing him at Summer Madness Festival in Ireland and his manager Gaye loved it. I also need to co credit my wife because it was while she was studying how Jesus dealt with women that she came up with the line that he was way ahead of his time. I replied and we still haven't caught up. Rich was trying hard to catch up.

If Jesus came to Wichita

Would he have native American skin

Would he segregate the world into colours

Or look through to the heart within

If Jesus came to Wichita

Would he read GK Chesterton books

Would he love me for who I am

Or condemn me for how I look

Would Jesus be friends with the sinners

And get the churches all upset

Would we realise he was ahead of his time

And that we haven't caught up yet.

 

If Jesus came to Wichita

Would he borrow Beaker's bike

Would he condemn the songs that don't mention him

Or would those be the ones he'd like

If Jesus came to Wichita

Would he have a perfect roughshod voice

Would he tell me who I'm supposed to marry

Or say, "Hey man that's your choice".

Would Jesus be the friend of sinners

And get the churches all upset

Would we realise that he was ahead of his time

And that we haven't caught up yet

 

If Jesus came to Wichita

Would he smoke Camel cigarettes

Would he forgive and remind me of my guilt

Or would he love me and forget

If Jesus came to Wichita

Would he drink Budweiser beer

Would he condemn me for my lack of effort

Or say, "Hey man do not fear".

Would Jesus be the friend of sinners

And get the churches all upset

Would we realise he was ahead of his time

And that we haven't caught up yet.

 

BE GOD’S; LESSONS FROM THE LIFE AND SONGS OF RICH MULLINS

Fitzroy Presbyterian Church

September 24, 2017 @ 7pm

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