A Man of No Reputation

I have grown up listening to Rich Mullins. My father has a storyteller's heart, and so the great storytelling songwriters were among his favorites. I spent hours riding around in my dad's Olds 442 with 8 tracks, cassettes, and then cds of Don Williams, Waylon Jennings, and Rich.

The kid brother of St. Frank died too young in a car accident on a road to or from a show--can't remember which--where he probably played barefoot to the crowd and poured his heart out in every note. I used to joke in seminary that God killed my husband. Of course, that was before I met my actual husband. Love you, honey!

The song you are hearing is "A Man of No Reputation," from The Jesus Record, a studio-produced album of fellow Ragamuffin band members and industry colleagues honoring the life and work of their friend. The project also included a raw demo disk of Rich singing and playing.

The Jesus Record is Easter for me, and this particular song tells the story of the Savior so heartbreakingly and reminds me that I am loved with relentless affection, just as I am.

A Man of No Reputation

It was said this man was of no reputation
Yet He could stop the rising storm
With a gesture of His hand
But He chose to use
His hands to heal
Hearts of darkness, hearts of stone
Just like mine would be revealed

He was a man of no reputation
And by the wise, considered a fool
When He spoke about faith and forgiveness
In a time when the strongest arms ruled
But this man of no reputation
Loved the weak with relentless affection
And He loved all those poor in spirit
Just as they were
He was a man of no reputation

It was said this man brought only confusion
That He'd achieve his ends by any means
And the truth that it brings revolution
And for once they were right
The truth set us free
The hearts of the captive were his only concern
And the powerful knew their days were ending

He was a man of no reputation
And by the wise, considered a fool
When He spoke about faith and forgiveness
In a time when the strongest arms ruled
But this man of no reputation
Loved the weak with relentless affection
And He loved all those poor in spirit
Just as they were
He was a man of no reputation

One day soon the gates of heaven will open wide
And the Prince of Peace will come back for His bride

But for now we live on these streets
Forbidding and tough
Where push always comes to shove
And it's said love's never enough
Where a prophet in rags gives hope to a fearful world
No injustice, no heart of darkness
Will keep this voice from being heard

He was a man of no reputation
And by the wise, considered a fool
When He spoke about faith and forgiveness
In a time when the strongest arms ruled
But this man of no reputation
Loves us all with relentless affection
And He loves all those poor in spirit,
Come as you are
To the man of no reputation

(Copyright 1998 - Rick Elias)