One of my favorite rock bands of all time is Lynyrd Skynyrd. A group of Beatles fans from Jacksonville, Florida, most well-known for the redneck anthem “Sweet Home Alabama.” But as a Skynyrd fan, I have to say, Ronnie van Zant wasn’t much like what we think of when we think of “redneck.” We associate the term with a (probably) obnoxious MAGA guy we unfortunately know. But, that’s not what the lyrics say. The lyrics advise a concept too many people have lost: be patient, don’t be nuts and ride the rapids no matter how long it takes.
The best example of this is the anthem, “Simple Man.” “Take your time, don’t live too fast/troubles will come and they will pass/you’ll find a woman and you’ll find love/And don’t forget, my son, there’s someone up above.” If anyone understood this back almost 2000 years before Ronnie van Zant wrote it, it was St. Peter. Peter was described to me in my study Bible as the guy who demands the spotlight. He wants to be the Robin to Jesus being Batman, the Gilligan to his Skipper, the Dean Ambrose to his Roman Reigns, the hotshot sidekick.
And that would work if this were a political movement. But religion, though it gets in bed with politics, is not politics. I am convinced we shouldn’t be around the subject. We’re so inept at leading our own dang selves, how can we make laws for others to live? Note neither the song “Simple Man” nor the Gospel say “and this should be law” or “force others to live like this.” The message of Scripture, what Jesus tries to get Peter to understand in spite of his brashness, what good rock songs are made of, is “carry each other.”
Right now, life is rough. It was rough back then, too. Ever since 2010, when people decided “nice” didn’t work anymore, when MAGA started, patience has withered. Grief has become too close. But, remember, one of Jesus’ last acts was to wash his disciple’s feet. In the first century, with his own feet anointing not far back, He is, telling us this. “It’s going to hurt. You’re going to die. This isn’t going to be fun. You WILL be crucified.” And, through the next few days, Peter’s humility gives him the gut check of a lifetime, he, who has said “I’m your sidekick” says “I don’t know Him.” At that point, it becomes apparent he must choose what we must choose; security or honesty.
Thankfully, God never leaves us like that. Jesus says three times to Peter, do you love me, paralleling him choosing security over honesty. And THIS time, he’s ready to be honest. THIS time, he doesn’t want to screw it up. He has realized that companionship is better than security. At this point in history, there is little more comfort than just “if I will die, at least I will die with friends.” And so, Peter tells everyone in his letters, and dies like this, crucified upside-down, to not make the mistakes he made. Be humble, be a good listener, embrace those different than you.
Be a simple man.
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