TRUMPETS AND CYMBALS, HANDS, AND A CROSS

Last week, you read about four women in the Bible.  Josiah needed guidance and he received that guidance from the prophetess Huldah – a woman.  The Samaritan woman met Jesus and was offered living water.  Eunice and Lois were role models for Timothy.  The women of the Bible are valued by God.

Today I want you to look at three men.

TRUMPETS AND CYMBALS

Have you heard about Jeduthun?  Think hard.  Got it yet?  2 Chronicles 35:15:  The musicians, the descendants of Asaph, were in the places prescribed by David, Asaph, Heman and Juduthun the king’s seer.  Jeduthun was a musician and not just any musician.  He is listed above Psalms 39, 62, and 77.  Now that is special.  Plus he was the king’s seer, which means he had insight into what God was saying by his visions.

But, why am I using Jeduthun?  He set the psalms to music.  Music which speaks to our soul.  Many traditional and contemporary hymns (You know.  Contemporary songs written since Amazing Grace in 1772) are based on the Psalms.  Songs such as, Nearer My God To Thee, I Love To Tell The Story, I Am Not Alone, and On Eagle’s Wings. 

The scriptures name Jeduthun as chosen to give thanks to the LORD and he was responsible for the sounding of the trumpets and cymbals ….. 

HANDS

“Ananias!”  House of Judas…Saul …praying … Ananias … place hands … restore his sight?

I am sure Ananias had these thoughts:  Are you kidding me?  You want me to go where?  You want me to --- you do know this man has permission to make prisoners of any who follow you don’t you? 

“Go!”  Ananias went and placed his hands on Saul.  He said, “Brother Saul, the Lord – Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here – has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”

This story is told often.  It is told that Saul regained his sight.  A miraculous healing of body and soul.  BUT this story is about obedience.  Saul went to Damascus and waited.  Ananias faced an enemy and called him Brother.

A CROSS

Picture the three crosses.  Jesus is the focus of those gathered.  Many cry and wait for his final breath.  The two thieves are of no importance.  They have no value. 

People mock Jesus and offer him wine vinegar.  And the two thieves are .. are ignored.  Until – until one criminal insulted Jesus, “Aren’t you the Messiah?  Save yourself and us!” 

The other thief rebuked him.  “Don’t you fear God,” he said, ‘since you are under the same sentence?  We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve.  But this man has done nothing wrong.”

Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”  Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

We do not know the names of the thieves. What we do know is that one of them saw the truth.  One of them heard words that changed everything. 

MEN IN THE BIBLE

How amazing that just a few verses, sometimes only one or two, can hold such lessons for us.  Jeduthun turned words into music and inspires us to really listen to the music.  Music helps us give thanks and can touch our very soul.  Ananias and Saul faced their fears and were obedient.  The thief died with an assurance of paradise.

There are so many men in the Bible and we hear their stories.  We hear and learn.  But sometimes, we need to seek out the music maker and be inspired.  We need to look below the surface and realize how brave Ananias and Saul were to go toward the enemy.  We need to be like the thief and see the truth.

Next week I will try to tie the blogs on babies, youth, women, and men together.  How will that go?  Come back next week and see.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURES:  2 Chronicles 35:15, 1 Chronicles 16:41-42, Psalm 39, 62, 77, Acts 9:10-18, and Luke 23:32-43