Brunch with Jesus—part 6

Brunch with Jesus—part 6

            Matthew 4:19 states, “And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” and Mark 1:17 records, “And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.”  The disciple’s brunch with Jesus reinforced Jesus’ desire for Christians to do more than sing about fishing for men.  If we have brunch with Him he will also remind us that we must become “fishers of men”; that proof of love is proof of new spiritual life; and that proof of love involves much more than musical rhetoric about loving Him. Some of our worship musicing, when we brunch with Jesus, should be a call to becoming “fishers of men” and to Christian service by renewing our vow to present ourselves as living sacrifices unto God.  Although Christ had called His disciples to serving others long before His suffering, death and resurrection, He took the time to appear this third appearance to His disciples to have brunch with them and remind them again that loving and worshiping Him involves loving and serving others.

            The purpose of my posts about having brunch with Jesus is not about downplaying the singing of praises to the blessed Trinity.  I want to make it very clear that having brunch with Jesus should include bestowing sincere lavish praise on the triune God that we love and serve. However, I am convinced that Jesus desires that we show Him our love and worship by loving and serving others.  Therefore, a part of having brunch with Jesus should not only involve our praise responses to Him, but also our allowing Jesus to not only feed our souls but also talk to us about what really matters to Him.    

Thought for the Day

God does not desire for you to bring him a dead lifeless musical offering, but rather, He desires only living breathing sacrifices “which is your reasonable service.”    

Song for the Day Savior Like a Shepherd Lead Us attributed to Dorothy A Thrupp   

Prayer for the Day

My precious Father I love to fish for men but I am not very good at it.  If I ever get any better at fishing for men I must take the opportunity to Have brunch with You Jesus so that I can learn where you want me to fish.  Lord, I confess that I come empty to your brunch most of the time.  Please help me to come more prepared to come into Your presence. I confess that I am so needy.  please give me spiritual sustenance so that I will be able to fish for men. This I am earnestly asking in Your sufficient name.  Amen

Brunch with Jesus—part 5

Brunch with Jesus—part 5

            Jesus directly connected loving Him with feeding His lambs, pastoring His mature sheep and having something to feed all of them.  Remember, He ask, “Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these?”  What Christ was saying was if you love Me you will serve others.  He was not merely asking Simon Peter to say that he loved Jesus  (i.e. sing His praises), but he was saying if you love me you will minister to those that are under your influence.  Although God inhabits praise, Jesus is calling us to Christians to put our words into action.

            The Bible lesson to Christian musicians is clear. Do not only sing my praises but also demonstrate that you love Me by having spiritual fish and bread in your musicing to feed My lambs and My sheep and also pastor them by serving them. A faithful minister of music must saturate his or her music ministry with God’s Word because as Hebrews 4:12 reminds us, “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”  Brunch with Jesus consists of much more than feasting and praising.  It is not only a time when we say “Yes Lord You know that I love You”.  It is a time when we affirm  that we will serve others.  I believe that worship is a time when Jesus is saying, as He inspired St. Paul to write in Romans 12:1, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”    

Thought for the Day

If a musician is going to really take care of the needs of Christ’s lambs and sheep, that musician must first present his or her body to Christ as a living sacrifice.

Song for the Day Gentle Shepherd by Gloria & William Gaither   

Prayer for the Day

I am asking You who are the “Lord of the sheep” to prepare my heart and mind to music unto you as I feed Your lambs and sheep.  After musicing for most of my life, I must ask like Solomon of old, “Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people…”  I need your wisdom every time I step before an audience because I represent You Lord.  I do not understand why You have chosen musicians like me to music for you but I know that in your wisdom You have chosen me to be one of your musical shepherds.  I Thank You Lord for giving me the awesome opportunity to feed your sheep and Lambs.  Amen.

Brunch with Jesus—part 4

Brunch with Jesus—part 4

            The disciples who came to Christ’s brunch received the bread of life, but that wasn’t all that happened.  Many musicians believe that brunch with Jesus is about feasting and the musician’s leading others in musical praise responses to Christ.  That is certainly part of what should happen, but it is only a part of what happens.  After the filling portion of their experience of having brunch with Jesus, He got down to business with them.  John 21:15 explains, “So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.”  Notice that Jesus first told Simon Peter to feed His lambs. The Greek word translated feed in the AV is bosko (1006) which connotes the act of feeding the lambs.

             Next, “He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.”  The Greek word translated feed in the AV is poimaino (4165) which has more meaning than the mere act of feeding and means to tend or care for the adult sheep as a shepherd.  The shepherd’s responsibilities included many things like leading, correcting, protecting and much more.  Finally, “He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed (bosko 1006) my sheep.”   

Thought for the Day

It is much easier for a musician to go about the task of feeding Christ’s lambs and Sheep with music than it is for him or her to love them enough to care for their needs by pastoring them.   

Song for the Day—Make Me a Servant by Kelly Willard   

Prayer for the Day   

My precious Lord I want to do your will when I music.  If I know my heart I want my musicing to feed your little lambs and also your mature sheep.  I am sobered by the fact that you said to Peter that a test of loving you was feeding and caring for your lambs and sheep. I am asking you to give me the wisdom to discern Your will for musicing that will be acceptable in your sight.  This I am asking in Your wise and wonderful name.  Amen

Brunch with Jesus—part 3

Brunch with Jesus—part 3

            The disciples came prepared to Christ’s brunch.  Although they had fished all night without any success, they were able to come with 150 fish because: 1) they were in the place where they could catch fish, 2) they were honest with Jesus when He asked them, ‘Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No.”, and 3) they obeyed Jesus when He said, “Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes.”  If a Christian musician desires to come to Jesus’ brunch with a fresh filling, then he or she must attend to the means of grace, be honest with Jesus, and take His advice. The disciples were in a place where they could catch fish.  Serving Jesus requires fishing, not merely singing about fishing.

            Burnout is a common occurrence for musicians who have given and given and given until it seems that there is simply nothing more to give because our nets are empty.  Sometimes ministering musicians feel very much like the disciples who had toiled and toiled throughout the night hours.  However, this malady was curable for the disciple and it is also curable for us.  Like the disciples, we must be faithful to the task at hand.  Jesus is able to help those who stay in their little ships and keep fishing when it seems that the fish will never bite.  Sitting on the bank near the sea of ministry whining about the fact that the fish will not come into our net does not cure burnout and does not enable us to do the thing that will prove to Jesus that we love him.   

Thought for the Day

This week remember that Jesus is saying as He did in John 14:15, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.”  Some musicians try to bring a musical offering of praise and adoration to Christ’s brunch without keeping His commandments.    

Song for the Day  I Gave My Life for Thee by Francis Havergal   

Prayer for the Day

Dear precious Lord I am asking you to forgive me for whining about how hard I have worked for You.  If I even have to work 24-7 that will be a “present far too small”.  Wh  en I think for just a moment what you have done for me and what you do for me every day, I am ashamed of my attitude. Please help me to fight burnout like a tiger.  Also Lord, I confess that many times I try to music to You and for You in my own strength.  Please help me to come to your brunch and be fed and renew my vows to You.  This I humbly ask You.  Amen. 

Brunch with Jesus—part 2

Brunch with Jesus—part 2

            Yesterday we considered some of the benefits of the bread and fish provided in Jesus’ brunch. Those who wish to have brunch with Jesus sometimes believe that the content of our worship musicing should be all praise. Although praise music is very important to worship it is not the complete content of having brunch with Jesus   When we take a careful look at the content of Jesus’ brunch, we find that it was not completely about praise. Dining with Jesus was about receiving but it was also about a call to action. 

            First, Jesus gave them the invitation to come to Him.  Jesus gave them a call to worship which connotes coming close to Him.  Jesus didn’t hand out fish sandwiches to them on the boat.  Having brunch with Him required coming into His presence.  Only when they came close to Him, were they able to dine with Him.  Jesus did not say to them, here is some food now go and eat by yourselves.  We can only receive the sustaining benefit of the Bread of life and the sustenance of mature meat when we dine in his presence.

            Second, Jesus did not only demand that they come into his presence, He also required them to bring something to His brunch.  In John 21:10 “Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught.”  Jesus expected the disciples to bring something to his brunch because His brunch was a potluck brunch.  Today, each Christian must bring something for the congregation to eat. The disciples had made pre-preparation for their brunch with Jesus.

              It is one thing for Christian musicians to show up and sing and play some praise music, but is another for them to come to Christ’s brunch with a fresh filling.   Remember that John 21:11 records, “Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken.” 

Thought for the Day 

If a Christian musician comes to brunch with Jesus spiritually empty and dry, then he or she will not be able to bring an offering of sincere praise to this spiritual feast. 

Song for the Day Jesus Is the entire World to Me by Will L. Thompson  

Prayer for the Day 

 Precious Lord I am sobered when I  remember the many times that I have almost let Satan convince me that I am so “wrung out like a rag” that there is no more any way that I will have anything to give to Your lambs and sheep.  At those times I am aware that my net has been on the wrong side of my little boat.  Lord I am asking you once again to help me to fish on the right side.  Lord help me this day to hear Your voice and obey Your voice so that I may have something to bring to your brunch.  Help me to trust You to help me to experience a fresh filling in my empty net.  These petitions I am presenting to Your powerful name.  Amen.

Brunch with Jesus—part 1

Brunch with Jesus—part 1

            John 21:9 explains what the disciples saw when they came to the shore after fishing all night   “As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread.”  Joh 21:12 gives the account of Jesus’ invitation to them to have brunch with Him.  “Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord.”  

            John 21:13 gives the wonderful account of the disciples having a potluck brunch with Jesus.   “Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise.”  Many Christian musicians like to refer to Sunday morning worship as a worship feast with Jesus.  Do you desire to have Sunday brunch with Jesus?  Do you desire that your musicing to be a time of receiving spiritual food for your soul and the souls of the congregation?

            In John 6:35by and 6:48 Jesus said, “I am the bread of life.”  From this declaration made by Jesus we can understand the significance of Jesus offering his disciples bread at this brunch.  Notice that brunch with Jesus provides bread that sustains spiritual life.  It also provides fish.  Unlike the fledgling milk fed Christians mentioned in 1Corinthians 3:2, “I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.” The disciples were given meat.  Brunch with Jesus provides meat that will sustain maturing Christians.  

Thought for the Day

Many Christian musicians say that they desire to have bunch with Jesus, but they do not understand that Jesus gets down to business with those who dine with him.  If you have brunch with Jesus, you will be fed by Him, but you will also come face to face with the call to Christian service.  Do you still want to brunch with Him? 

Song for the Day Come and Dine by Charles B. Widmeyer 

Prayer for the Day

I want to thank You Lord that you desire to have fellowship with people like me.  Thank you for having your great table spread with spiritual food for my soul.  Please help me to have the good sense to come to your table and to partake of the spiritual bread and fish that you have prepared for me.  If I know my heart, I really desire to partake of Your table.  Please feed my soul as I give you an offering of praise.  This I am asking in your in your wonderful and sufficient name.  Amen

The History of Music Education—part 8

The History of Music Education—part 8

            Although the deciphering of the te’amim above and below the OT text shows much evidence of ancient Israel’s music being aesthetic, there is no evidence in the Bible that Israel derived aesthetic pleasure from their sacred musicing.  However, when one views the musical embellishments found in the te’amim found above the Hebrew and Aramaic texts of the OT it is not far-fetched to hypothesize that, in the midst of their sacred and secular musicing, these ancient musicians could have  receive aesthetic pleasure.  Furthermore, we do not have any direct evidence that music education in ancient Israel included the concept of aesthetics or aesthetic pleasure at least as we understand it today.

            Psalm 100:2 explains partially how the ancient Hebrews viewed sacred music philosophically when it says, “Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.”  To them, music was a means to an end and that end was coming before   the presence of YHVH.  Psalm 126:2 explains how they used their musicing to bring honor and praise to God. “Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them.”  Isaiah 51:11 elucidates how they were educated to understand the Hebrew concept of what musicing was capable of accomplishing in the life of the redeemed. “Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.”

Thought for the Day

When we look back at the ancient musical paradigm of the Hebrew musicians we should try to view their joy of sacred musicing as joy of worshiping YHVH rather than joy produced from personal musical achievement.  Sacred music and musicing was about God rather than self.

The History of Music Education—part 7

The History of Music Education—part 7

            Some church musicians and musicologists have a very imperfect understanding of ancient singing, chanting, and cantillation.  They often write about chanting as being a very strange type of vocalization perhaps droned out with little beauty or artistic value.  Some believe that ancient Jewish cantillation had a Far-Eastern Oriental flavor.  Some writers over the last century and a half have purported that it was based on a pentatonic scale while others believe that it was based on a quarter-step system or that it was some synthetic scale system giving it curious strange sound, foreign to the Western ear.  However, recent scholarship has proven these notions to be false.  Scholars now have understanding of the notation of the Old Testament that shows clearly that this intoning was far from strange or ugly musicing produced by screaming at the top of these ancient musician’s lungs.

            Musicologists now know from knowledge or the te’amim that the notated music of Scripture was quaint but beautiful. However, contrary to common belief; musicians in ancient Israel did not consider music to be a humanistic achievement created and owned by their culture to be consumed on their own lusts for entertainment, fame and fortune.  As was mentioned in an earlier post, it was an aid to understanding and as not considered an artistic man made invention produced as “music alone” by a composer seeking fame and notoriety.  In the last and now in this century musicians many times look at music and musicing through the Western music paradigm of an individual’s composition, arrangement, or performance practice.  From what musicologists know of music in ancient Israel, these ancient Israelite musicians did not look at sacred music in this manner.  As was mentioned in the 6^th post in this series Alfred Sendrey explained that  these musicians considered music most for its” spiritual, ethical sphere”.

Thought for the Day

Musical paradigm is that window through which a musician views the whole of music.  As one reads what is written in the Bible about music and musicing, a Christian musician needs to guard against the tendency to squeeze music in ancient Israel into a post postmodern paradigm.

The History of Music Education—part 6

The History of Music Education—part 6                     

            Contrary to the opinions of some misguided twentieth century writers who believed that the Hebrews considered music an art form belonging to man’s true humanness, Alfred Sendrey stated, “In spite of the fact that music among the Hebrews did represent essentially "utilitarian music" (though in a higher sense), it is not wholly expressed by "activity" and "cooperation."  Nor, even though explicitly manifest, are the principles of "enjoyment" and "aesthetic pleasure" the decisive criteria in Jewish music.  The roots of the Jewish musical art go deeper; its ultimate meaning can rather be found in the spiritual, ethical sphere.  In Ancient Israel, music--especially singing--meant:  to serve God, to exalt God with sounds.  Singing, in whatever form, is for the Jew the religious creed expressed in sounds, the palpable affirmation of his close connection with the Eternal, the union in harmonious sounds of the Creator with his creation.”   Music in the Social and Religious Life of Antiquity, Sendrey, p. 167.  Notice that Sendrey who was a world renowned Jewish music Scholar reported that the ancient Hebrews considered music to be God’s i.e. “his creation” not the creation of mankind.

            There was much organized music education that took place in ancient Israel which was centered around the purposes of worship and honoring of YHVH.  This education was utilitarian in its nature because the culture of ancient Israel did not consider music to exist as an art-form but rather 1st, the handmaiden of God’s Word, and 2^nd, a means of worshiping YHVH.  Sendrey was correct in his belief that musicians taught the common man to enjoy worshiping God with music.  After the congregational music lesson explained in the first part of chapter eight of Nehemiah, verse 10 explains, “Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”   Zephaniah 3:17 states that God allows joy as a part of the musicing process, The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.”

Bible Quote for the Day

1Chronicle 25:7, “So the number of them, with their brethren that were instructed in the songs of the LORD, even all that were cunning, was two hundred fourscore and eight.”  Note that the chief Levite musicians concentrated their music education efforts on “the songs of the LORD”.

The History of Music Education—part 5

The History of Music Education—part 5

            Although this Scripture passage has been shrouded in esoteric meaning for centuries current scholarship has brought this meaning to the light of clearer understanding.  We understand that the word sekel (7922) her translated the sense means that the intoning the Scripture by use of the te’amim was the ancient method of elucidating the meaning of the Scripture.  Nehemiah 8:7 states, “Also Jeshua, and Bani, and Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodijah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, caused the people to understand the law: and the people stood in their place.”  This distinguished list of men which included Levite musicians taught the people i.e. a congregated unit the understanding of the Law of God by, of course, intoning the Scripture.  The word qara (7121) translated caused in this verse has a multitude of meaning in OT Scripture including to “call out”.  So these Levite musicians caused the congregation to call out the Torah by intoning it.

            With this interpretation of teaching in ancient Israel the concept of musicing Scripture adds meaning to what we believe happened in this congregation of Israelites.  We know with great certainty that tis passage of OT Scripture is a record of religious education in this culture and it is not far-fetched to piece together what the function of the ancient Levite musicians was in this account of ancient education.  They were teaching the congregation to music the Torah.

Quote for the Day

“A deep understanding can only be achieved by singing the Torah…and ‘whoever intones the Holy Scriptures in the manner of secular SONG abuses the Torah.’’’ Jewish Music in Its Historical Development, by A.Z. Idelsohn pp.35-36 (quoting B. Sanhedrin, 101a)

            Although this Scripture passage has been shrouded in esoteric meaning for centuries current scholarship has brought this meaning to the light of clearer understanding.  We understand that the word sekel (7922) her translated the sense means that the intoning the Scripture by use of the te’amim was the ancient method of elucidating the meaning of the Scripture.  Nehemiah 8:7 states, “Also Jeshua, and Bani, and Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodijah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, caused the people to understand the law: and the people stood in their place.”  This distinguished list of men which included Levite musicians taught the people i.e. a congregated unit the understanding of the Law of God by, of course, intoning the Scripture.  The word qara (7121) translated caused in this verse has a multitude of meaning in OT Scripture including to “call out”.  So these Levite musicians caused the congregation to call out the Torah by intoning it.

            With this interpretation of teaching in ancient Israel the concept of musicing Scripture adds meaning to what we believe happened in this congregation of Israelites.  We know with great certainty that tis passage of OT Scripture is a record of religious education in this culture and it is not far-fetched to piece together what the function of the ancient Levite musicians was in this account of ancient education.  They were teaching the congregation to music the Torah.

Quote for the Day

“A deep understanding can only be achieved by singing the Torah…and ‘whoever intones the Holy Scriptures in the manner of secular SONG abuses the Torah.’’’ Jewish Music in Its Historical Development, by A.Z. Idelsohn pp.35-36 (quoting B. Sanhedrin, 101a)

The History of Music Education—part 4

The History of Music Education—part 4 

            1Chronicles 25:7 gives another Bible reference to music education in ancient Israel,” So the number of them, with their brethren that were instructed (lamad 3925) in the songs of the LORD, even all that were cunning, was two hundred fourscore and eight.”  The Hebrew word lamad means to instruct or to teach.  There is no doubt about it; the ancient Hebrew culture accepted the responsibility to teach music to their Levite sons.  So, again we are able to put to bed the notion that ancient Egyptians, Romans and Greeks were the only cultures that were expert in ancient music education. 

            We also know that the reading of God’s Word was always intoned or sung according to the musical notation i.e. the te’amim above and below the Hebrew text.  When we read Nehemiah 8:8 in the light of current knowledge of the te’amim, “So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading” we understand that this passage of OT Scripture is an example of teaching the people how to music the Scripture “distinctly”.  The Hebrew word parash (6567) that is here translated distinctly means to separate or disperse.

Quote for the Day

Abraham Idelsohn reported that, “The Talmud (B. Megilla, 32a) says that the Bible should be made understood to the hearers in musical, sweet tune.   And he who reads the Pentateuch without tune shows disregard for it and the vital value of its laws.” Jewish Music in Its Historical Development, p.35.

The History of Music Education—part 3

The History of Music Education—part 3

            The reason that I make such a big deal out of who “invented” music is that we have absolutely no reason to believe the notion that the ancient Hebrews considered music a man mad invention.  Furthermore Mark and Dickenson are incorrect in believing that the ancient Hebrews did not believe that music had the power to influence morality or affect behavior.  To the contrary, study: Exodus 32:18; Ecclesiastes 7:5; Job 39:9; Lamentations 3:14, 3:63; Psalm 69:12 and many other verses in the Bible and it will become very apparent that ancient Hebrews who loved and served God  believed that music was a reflection of character and that it influenced behavior of the performer and the listener.

            We have record of Moses being a music educator as early as Deuteronomy 31:19, “Now therefore write ye this song for you, and teach it the children of Israel: put it in their mouths, that this song may be a witness for me against the children of Israel.”  Those that believe that the ancient musicians concentrated only on personal performance will have to explain this early reference to teaching music not only to performers but also to the common man.

Thought for the Day

The word lamad (3925) which is translated teach in Deuteronomy 31:19 means “to goad” which has connotations of causing someone to become expert.  With this meaning, teaching music was no doubt serious business in ancient Israel.

The History of Music Education—part 2

The History of Music Education—part 2

            Music education and music philosophy taught in the Bible is often misunderstood and misrepresented.  For instance Michael Mark (p.3) quotes  Edward Dickenson’s Music in the History of the Western Church as saying, “The Hebrews were unusual among ancient people in believing that music was not an invention of the gods with the power to influence morality and affect behavior”.   This statement is simply not supported by Jewish history or by what is written in the Old and New Testaments.  First, the ancient Levite musicians believed very strongly that YHVH was the creator of all things.  It is true that some of Israel’s kings did not love and serve YHVH and during those times Israel served false “gods”, but the notion that ancient Israel believed that music belonged to man rather than God is nothing more than a false notion.

            We learn this from the first and last books of the Bible i.e. Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” and Revelation 4:11, “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” that God created all things and that all things” included music.  So, it was not “gods” that created but rather YHVH the self-existent, independent eternal God who was and is the creator of music.  The Revelation of St. John the divine teaches us that the reason the Lord is worthy of glory and honor is because he created everything.

Thought for the Day

Ecclesiastes 1:13, “And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven: this sore travail hath God given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith.”

The History of Music Education—part 1

The History of Music Education—part 1

            Mark and Gary’s book A History of American Education begins with the statement “The history of music education in Western civilization begins with the Hebrews because in their culture, unlike others, music was part of the lives of all the people and not just the domain of professional musicians.” (p. 3) As one reads about music education both Europeans and Americans at times suppose that they were the fathers of music education.  Many music educators believe that they even have a corner on the correct way to educate young musicians. 

            There is nothing inherently wrong with a music professor being convinced of the value of a particular music education philosophy or of a particular music praxis.  Surely, a university music department in the U.S. or somewhere in Europe should be convinced about the way they are going about educating the next generation of music teachers.  However, the problem occurs when a particular educational system is so haughty that they are the only ones in the world that educate music teachers in a proper way.  For much too long music educators have ignored what the Bible teaches us about music education.

Bible Thought for the Day

1Corinthians 1:2, “For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.”  The wisdom of this world most often derives the exact opposite conclusions about spiritual things—including music and musicing.

He is Risen

He is Risen

Mark 16:5-6, “And entering into the sepulcher, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted.  And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.”

            Today is Easter Sunday.  This is the day each year that we celebrate Christ’s resurrection.  One major differences in Christianity and other world religions is the fact that Christians serve and worship a Savior who is alive.  Other religions serve aa god or a plurality of gods who once lived and are now dead.

            So, He lives on this Easter morning!  Ad a Christian I can sing with Joy “I serve a risen Savior.  He’s in the world today.  I know that He is living, whatever men may say.”  The thing that makes all the difference is the witness of the Holy Spirit that “He lives within my heart.”  That is the reason that many Christians refer to this witness as a “know so salvation”. 

            The story of redemption is a wonderful story, but it wouldn’t mean very much to me if I had not experienced Christ’s saving power in my life!  Romans 8:16 attests to the fact that, “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.”  If God’s Spirit witnesses to your spirit this Easter Sunday that you are God’s child, you are blessed beyond all expectation!

Song for the Day  “He Lives” by Alfred H. Ackley

The Seven Last Sayings of Christ—part 7

The Seven Last Sayings of Christ—part 7

Luke 23:46, “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.”(Ps 31:5; Mt 27:50-51; Mark 15:37; John 19:30; 1Pe 2:23)

            The seventh saying of Jesus when He was being crucified was a statement of comital of His spirit into the hands of God the Father.  Jesus willingly left the portals of glory; became Emmanuel God with us; ministered to the needs of mankind; taught those who would listen; finished the work that the Father had given Him to do; suffered and now was about to die for the sins of the whole world.  As has been recorded in Joh 17:4 Jesus said to His Father, “I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.”  Surely Christ had done everything that He came to this earth to do as St. John 17:4 recorded “I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.”  Jesus was misunderstood and persecuted while He was on this earth.  He came to earth to, as Luke 24:7 explains to “…be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.”

            We know that Christ’s purpose for coming to this earth was to do His Father’s will when He said in John 4:34, “… My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.”  We also know from Matthew 26:39 that Jesus was intent on doing the will of God the Father when he prayed in the garden, “O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.”  Since the incarnate Christ was not only very God but also very man, from a human standpoint it was very difficult for Him to suffer and die on the cross of Calvary.  Nevertheless, He was obedient to His Father’s will.  None of us have anything to do during this Easter season that is as difficult as what Christ had to endure.  So, If you have been given a difficult  spiritual task by Our heavenly Father, be assured that God’s grace will be sufficient to see you through that difficult task.

Song for the Day “God’s Great Grace”  by Floyd W. Hawkins

           

The Seven Last Sayings of Christ—part 6

The Seven Last Sayings of Christ—part 6

John 19:30, “When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.”

            The sixth saying of Jesus when He was being crucified was, “It is finished”.  Albert Barnes stated in his commentary on the Book of John, “It is finished. The sufferings and agonies in redeeming man are over.  The work long contemplated, long promised, long expected by prophets and saints, and is done. The toils in the ministry, the persecutions and mockeries, and the pangs of the garden and the cross, are ended, and man is redeemed. What a wonderful declaration was this! How full of consolation to man! And how should this dying declaration of the Savior reach every heart and affect every soul!”

            In His letter to the Hebrews Paul explains in 10:3, “But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year.  For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.”  Hebrews 7:25-27 further explains, “Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.  For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.”

Song for the Day “It is Finished” by Bill and Gloria Gaither

The Seven Last Sayings of Christ—part 5

The Seven Last Sayings of Christ—part 5

John 19:28,  “After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.”

            The fifth saying of Jesus when He was being crucified was, “I thirst”.  Albert Barnes, in his commentary on the Gospel of John said, “Thirst was one of the most distressing circumstances attending the crucifixion.  The wounds were highly inflamed, and a raging fever was caused, usually, by the sufferings on the cross, and this was accompanied by insupportable thirst.”  Although it is difficult to understand, we believe that Jesus was very God and very man while he was on this earth.  Hebrews 4:15  gives us insight  into this truth when it says, “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”  So, when Christ said that He was thirsty we realize that he was going through great physical suffering which included thirst.

            Christ not only suffered great mental agony as he gave Himself to suffer and die to pay the penalty for the sin of the world, but He also suffered much physical pain.  Although he was the spotless Lamb of God, he suffered as though he was a criminal.  He went through this physical suffering and as Isaiah 53:4 records, “Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.”  He was obedient to the will of God the Father because He loved us so much.

Song for the Day “Why Should He Love Me So?” by Robert Harkness

The Seven Last Sayings of Christ—part 4

The Seven Last Sayings of Christ—part 4

Matthew 27:46, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”  Mark 15:34, “And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”

            The fourth saying of Jesus when He was being crucified was, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”  Jesus understood while He was dying on that cruel cross on Golgotha’s hill that God the Father could not look upon as though it did not matter.  Egkataleipo (1459) which was used by both St. Matthew and St. Mark and it means “to leave behind or to desert”.  Adam Clarke sheds light on the meaning of this statement in His Commentary on Matthew. “Some suppose "that the divinity had now departed from Christ, and that his human nature was left unsupported to bear the punishment due to men for their sins. But this is by no means to be admitted, as it would deprive his sacrifice of its infinite merit, and consequently leave the sin of the world without an atonement.  Take deity away from any redeeming act of Christ, and redemption is ruined.” 

            Some writers consider that God abandoned Christ in the midst of His sacrifice for the sins of the whole world.  We know, at least, that God the Father required Jesus to pay the awful penalty for sin which was necessary in order for mankind to receive pardon.  Hebrews 9:22 explains, “And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.”  Remission is translated from aphesis (859) which means freedom or deliverance from sin.  Praise God!  Jesus paid the penalty for the sins of the Whole world.  St. John (1:29) understood what Christ would later do on the cross when he stated,  “… Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”

Song for the Day “Jesus Paid It All” by Elvina M. Hall

The Seven Last Sayings of Christ—part 3

The Seven Last Sayings of Christ—part 3

John 19:26-27, “When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!  Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother!”

            The third saying of Jesus when He was being crucified was, “Woman, behold your son and son Behold your mother.”  The incarnate Jesus was very God but he was also very man.  He was the first born son and with that birthright came the responsibility of the care of His mother.  So, when He was suffering that cruel crucifixion, He took care to make sure that His earthly family relationships were taken care of properly.  If earthly family relationships meant that much to Jesus, surely Christian musicians must take care of their family relationships.

            Some Christian musicians get so busy serving God that he or she fails to care of their families.  When a musician makes the statement I cannot take care of my family properly because I must put my music ministry first, that musician is not following Christ’s example.  Always putting one’s music ministry first sounds very spiritual, but it actually is not if that musician’s family responsibilities are neglected.  Christ left each of us with a beautiful example of fulfilling the work of God and caring for family at the same time.

Song for the Day “Our Great Savior” by J. Wilbur Chapman

The Seven Last Sayings of Christ—part 2

The Seven Last Sayings of Christ—part 2

 Luke 23:43, “Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.”

            The second saying of Jesus when He was being crucified was, a statement granting pardon and salvation to the thief on the cross beside Him.  Rather than condemnation, Christ pardoned the penitent thief who was justly being crucified for his crimes.  The impenitent malefactor said, (Luke 23:39) “…If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.”  “But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?  He then ask Christ, (Luke 23:42) “…Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.”  This man had done wrong and was being crucified for his wrong doings.  In the last moments of his life He asked Christ for forgiveness and we know that Christ forgave him because Jesus said to him, “Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.”

            I marvel at Christ’s reply, “Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.”  Even when Christ was suffering on the cross, He responded to the sinners request for forgiveness.  Oh, that God will make us more like Jesus.  May our prayer be that even when we suffer we will care for the souls and welfare of other people.  Surely, becoming more like Christ will include a genuine concern for the lost.  It is my prayer that God will cleanse me of all self-centeredness.

Song for the Day  “Others” by Charles D. Meigs

The Seven Last Sayings of Christ—part 1

The Seven Last Sayings of Christ—part 1

Luke 23:34: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”

            The first saying of Christ when He is hard to understand Christ saying “forgive them” to those who had persecuted, falsely accused, and placed the sinless Christ on a cruel cross.  This was not an act merely to punish our Savior, but rather it was an unjust act of murder.  So, Christ freely forgave these men who hated him.

            Luke 23:33 states, “And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.  Christ was crucified between two malefactors (kakourgos 2557) i.e. two criminals.  Our sinless Savior was humiliated by being placed between two criminals.  Luke 23:35, gives this vivid mental picture, “And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God.

            If that was not enough humiliation, Luke 23:35-37 said that “… the people stood beholding.  And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God.  And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar, And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself.”  It is no wonder that St John the revelator said in Revelations 5:12 “… Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.

            One of the great messages left to Christian musicians by Christ when He was on the cross at Calvary was “forgive”.  Christ taught us to forgive others who have done us wrong!  Mathew 5:44 records the words of Jesus, “… Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.”  Jesus did not say forgive if you feel like it, He simply said love and forgive.  You may not be able to forgive others within your own human strength, but God’s grace is sufficient enough to enable you to forgive. 

Song for the Day “Thou art Worthy” by Pauline Michael Mills