Jesus Is First, J-O-Y, not Y!

Inspired by Luke 14:27 ... entitled "Jesus is First" ... which is about the discipline of Christian discipleship of denying one's self, submitting that self to Jesus and the Creator's will

*[sparse modal piano intro, contemplative bass notes]*

Man, I'm standing outside these prison walls
Concrete and razor wire -- but real cage is me—
That old self crying out: "Me first! Me first!"
But the Man from Galilee laid it down straight:

*[finger snaps, cymbal brush]*

"If you ain't ready to deny yourself,
To shoulder your cross daily and follow my path,
Then split ... cat—you are not my disciple."
Harsh words from a gentle soul, dig?

*[saxophone enters, mournful then resolute]*

J-O-Y, daddy-o! That's the formula,
The cosmic order the squares can't comprehend.
J is for Jesus—first, foremost, foundation.
Not your church, not your crew, not your scene.

*[bass walk, insistent rhythm]*

When the collection plate becomes the mission,
When the building trumps the Builder,
You're playing a C-O-Y game, man—
Coercive, cold, collection-obsessed.

*[piano chord progression shifts to minor]*

O is for Others—the second command.
Love 'em like yourself, but never above the King.
Constitution, community, all that jazz—
Good things in their rightful place.

*[drum brushes intensify]*

Y is for You—last in line, dig?
The paradox that kills the cats:
Putting yourself last brings the most joy,
While chasing your own kicks leaves you asking "Why?"

WHY?

WHY?

WHY?

*[ensemble pauses, leaving only bass pulse]*

These prison walls speak truth, man—
When everything's stripped away,
When the hip facade crumbles,
What remains? Who's first?

*[saxophone returns with plaintive melody]*

The cross ain't pretty, it ain't cool,
It's the weight of dying daily to yourself.
The disciples couldn't dig it at first either—
Wanted thrones instead of thorns.

*[piano returns with gospel inflections]*

But that's the beat: deny, take up, follow.
Three steps in the cosmic dance,
Three notes in the divine progression,
The rhythm of true discipleship.

*[full ensemble builds to climax]*

So lay it down, cool cat—
Your pride, your plans, your precious self.
Pick up that cross, heavy as it is,
And follow the One who carried His first.

*[music fades to whispered conclusion with finger snaps]*

"Jesus is first... Jesus is first...
J-O-Y, not Y... J-O-Y, not Y..."