When Jesus came to temple grounds,
His heart was vexed most sore
To see the merchants in their stalls
As if this was a store.
He drove the moneychangers out
And set God's creatures free;
He saw this sacred, holy space
Should not a market be.
The temple priests were horrified;
The sellers, filled with fear.
For Jesus, this act told the world
Good trouble time was here.
When church gives up its guiding star
To business or to state,
Good trouble is our holy call,
Before it is too late.
TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, 17 July 2025 (fifth anniversary of the death of John Lewis)
MUSIC: Tune McKEE, African American spiritual; Jubilee Songs, 1884; adapt. Harry T. Burleigh, 1940.
Today was the fifth anniversary of civil rights legend and Congressman John Lewis, and several protest events (billed under his phrase "good trouble") were held around the country today. My schedule didn't allow for one (none were nearby) but this text, derived from one of Jesus's acts that might well be the antecedent of "good trouble," arrived today. As is often the case, the tune helped set the text free in my head. The "underground hymns" aren't dead yet, sir...
