Panem et Circenses

Well, the Jesus Freaks came to town this week,
   And in case you didn’t know:
We’re the blokes you see up from Galilee
   With the lepers all in tow…

It’s an age-old scam, and ain’t worth a damn
   But you see it quite a lot:
Plant a shill in the crowd (or two! it’s allowed)
   Then “heal” ’em on the spot!

We swear it’s all real! This ain’t no cheap deal–
   If Jesus you receive,
He’ll touch you real light, then give back your sight.
   He will! You just gotta believe!

Cuz this you must know: He ain’t in it for show;
   He’s a very humble man.
He’ll heal you, but: you must keep your mouth shut.
   Don’t tell others, you understand?

The best way, you see–now listen to me!–
   To keep your profile low
Is performing great deeds and meeting “felt needs.”
   It’s obvious, ain’t it, tho?

Yet Jesus demurs and all glory defers–
   The reluctant Ringmaster, he.
After eight dozen pops, we’re at the next stop…
   And he still hasn’t charged a fee!

But I am no dunce–I saw the Cirque once
   On a visit to Caesaree–
You can hold a crowd long with free food and a song
   But to keep ’em the show must repeat!

Yes, we’ve made a few friends, but where will this end?
   We can’t keep the skeptics at bay.
Entertaining? Enough! But it’s dangerous stuff–
   Such deadly games we play!