The Candidate of Change

Everywhere you turn this election season, someone is talking about change. Candidates have staked a claim to the word, posting it on signs, banners, bumper stickers... just about anything that can be seen with the naked eye. A few of them have been brave enough to define change but most are content to just let the word speak for itself. CHANGE. It describes something else than what you have now. Anything else. Just change. Could be good, could be bad.

I'm reminded of another public figure who preached a message of change, one very near and dear to my heart. He popped up on the scene two thousand years ago and the following was said about him:

"The crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law," said Levi bar Alphaeus, a Jewish tax collector.

"No one ever spoke the way this man does,” said some Roman guards.

John the Baptizer, a local preacher, also supported this public figure. He said to a crowd, “I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know. He is the one who comes after me, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.”

THE CANDIDATE of CHANGE

Come now and listen to the candidate of change
Speaking up on the hillside today
Join the crowd of thousands, quick, do not delay
And hang on to every word that he has to say

Some found inspiration in the candidate of change
Hopes were lifted higher
Others scoffed in laughter, for fools cannot sway
But none could turn a blind eye to those who came his way

His message it was simple, the old ways they must go
A system that is failing will be made new
He campaigned ever onward, spent many sleepless nights
Ever always on the road, never giving up the fight

The politicians were established in comfort and in pride
But the candidate of change had put his pride aside
Some say he was a long shot, a person most unknown
But the candidate of change persisted on his own

So they schemed and they plotted to end his campaign
They leveled accusations that would bring him shame
Though he did no wrong thing, he dropped out of the race
And the people who once cheered him now jeered him in disgrace

And hope faded away

Even though they scorned him and turned their stubborn eyes
The candidate of change bounced back with a big surprise
Gone but not forgotten, he showed up on the scene
And won the hearts of millions who gladly crowned him king