Divine musician

Luke 7 : 29 - 35

We played the flute..you did not dance; we sang a dirge...you did not cry

Last Sunday, I heard a very insightful statement from a thirteen year old girl, who can be very forthright. She is going through a stage of questioning and at times says things other youth may not dare to. She says she knows that Jesus should come first and she should obey.........but it is all in the head (pointing to her head) and that in her heart she does not feel that way at all. So much for our belief that by imparting religious knowledge to the children, we can bring them easily to faith!

Yes, in this young lady, there is an element of teenage rebellion at work. But what about people who are 'grown up'? Jesus says that the people of his generation who rejected God's purpose are like petulant children, 'brats', stubborn in their childish games. All the evidence of the in-breaking of God's kingdom was there, yet they wanted a Messiah on their own terms.

In fact, the Divine musician came to his people in different ways, first through the more austere ministry of John the Baptist (and he was accused of having a demon), then through God's Son himself who instead was accused of gluttony and mixing with questionable company. Those who were (are) stubborn will always find reason enough to reject the 'music' and refuse to join the 'dance'.

The Lord called each one of us through 'music' that spoke to our hearts...that which evoked our spiritual need.....so that we would come to him. When people share their journeys, I am amazed to see how the Lord works. One person comes to the Lord when she realizes with gratitude all that he has done for her. Hers is the light melody of a flute. Another comes to the Lord when she reached the end of the road......the heavier sound of a dirge. I think in our evangelism, we can never stick to particular methods or techniques. Some people will respond to a more direct, confrontational approach, yet others need time to get used to the melody and learn the dance. What matters in the end is helping people respond to the gospel, to the Divine musician himself.