IF JESUS CAME TO WICHITA - A Poem About Rich Mullins
14/09/2017
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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