I am One of Those

This song was written for Easter this year and was recorded live on that Sunday. The lyrics are a meditation on what it means to be "the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not" using images from the gospels. I want to identify with and see myself as the people I despise. Not merely the people that are outcasts or misfits because it seems easy for me to identify with them. Even in accepting broken sinners I have found that I still have a standard of ugliness and social dysfunction that is not much different than that of the pharisees. I know that Jesus came for those at the bottom of the list and I need to see my name down there with all the despised so that I may be less tangled in my pride and ready lay down my life for my brothers and sisters. More than that, I want to understand how far reaching is the love of Jesus, who physically touched those whom others would not even want to be close to or smell. Maybe then I would truly be grateful. Maybe then I would begin to see with the eyes of Jesus who continually saw the value of those around him and judged by the standards of heaven. ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

I am One of Those (listen)  (chord chart)

I am one of those, at the table not invited, And to all here at the feast it’s very plain, I cannot hide in etiquette or conversation, But Christ himself sent word to me and so I came.

I am one of those who was dead and fully buried, And I still bear every stigma of decay, There is no way I can hide just what I’ve been through, ‘cause when Jesus called I came fresh from the grave.

Though the world may number me among the foolish, I think Jesus Christ is all I need to know Jesus suffered and paid blood to buy the lowest of the low Hallelujah! Amen! That’s me! Yes, I am one of those!

I am one of those, who was a leper and contagious, The deformities and scars I have today, Yet while I was vile with sickness Jesus loved me, And He healed, restored and through and through remade.

I am one of those who was doomed to death in prison, And I’ve done more evil things than I could say, Jesus broke inside and there unlocked my shackles, And to set me free, he died and took my place.

Though the world may number me among the foolish, I think Jesus Christ is all I need to know Jesus suffered and paid blood to buy the lowest of the low Hallelujah! Amen! That’s me! Yes, I am one of those! 

I am one of those, who was hard to love and ugly, Self-Righteous critical religion was my stain. So I ran Christ to wash and be discovered, Jesus came to me and covered up my shame.

Though the world may number me among the foolish, I think Jesus Christ is all I need to know Jesus suffered and paid blood to buy the lowest of the low Hallelujah! Amen! That’s me! Yes, I am one of those!