We sing of Christ! [Zion Organ Celebration]

READINGS FROM HOLY SCRIPTURE:

• Revelation 5:6-14

• 1 Samuel 16:14-23

 

Dear saints at Zion: grace to you and peace from Him Who is and Who was and Who is to come; from Jesus Christ the faithful Witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the Lord of all true music.
 
Who speaks to you today, in your hearing, about King David and King Saul, from 1 Samuel. What is interesting there is two things: first that we hear in verse 23, “And whenever the harmful spirit from God was upon Saul, David took the lyre and played it with his hand. So Saul was refreshed and was well, and the harmful spirit departed from him.”
 
So it is that music, from St. David, soothed the savage beast. Second, is the fact that that “savage beast” or harmful spirit was from the Lord and looks as if God is resorting to pretty and vengeful tactics in order to remove Saul from David’s rightful throne.
 
First of all, we must make the distinction that it is not music in general that has some sort of magical affect on the universe outside of God’s control. I already mentioned that it is specifically David’s music that soothes Saul and that’s the point. David has been chosen by the Lord and so he will be the man to bring peace between God and man. His words, his work, and his song.
 
This of course is to point ahead to the God-man, the true King and Son of God, Jesus Christ, Who’s words, work, and song will effectually accomplish those things for all people for all eternity. David is playing the role of Christ. There will be a man coming Who’s Word will create peace and union with God and man.
 
Whatever else is apart from Christ is harmful, as this spirit to Saul, is. Is this really God being a jerk? No. It is Saul. Saul has placed himself outside of the promise of God, as is declared, “Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, he has rejected you as king” (1 Sam 15:26), and “I have found David my servant; with my holy oil have I anointed him” (Ps 89:20).
 
Saul rejected. He chose his sin over his Savior. This harmful spirit, then, is not a rogue spirit God keeps in chains till He needs it, it is the spirit of God. And the Spirit of God is an untamed Spirit. Not only does He go wherever, as we hear in John 3, but He also “brings the sword of division” (St. Lk 12:51).
 
This is what sin is like in front of God. There cannot be two gods. Either you will hate the one and love the other; or else you will be devoted to one and despise the other (Mt 6:24). “What communion has righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness?” (2 Cor 6:14).
 
Simply by God existing in a sinful world, He creates violence and animosity and it is all directed at Him. He is holy, but our sinful un-holiness must crucify Him to finally be rid of Him. This is Saul’s battle. His sin prevents him from hallowing God’s Name or letting His kingdom come. thus, he is tormented with a hellish torment, that of living with his sin and rejecting the forgiveness that the holy God has come to give.
 
So it is that the Son of God comes eating and drinking and singing. And His singing is the singing of the Gospel. And His choir is His Bride the Church who sings with all the saints of heaven, the new Resurrection song in the flesh. And in that same flesh, She will see God face to face.
 
Thus we sing. As the prophets before us put their prophesy, not into mathematics or astronomy, but song, we sing. As John the Baptist’s father brought him into this world in song we sing. As the angels of heaven touched their golden harps on earth at the birth of Christ, we sing. As Jesus is coming soon amid the song of a trumpet, we sing.
 
Most especially, if we can keep our sinful flesh, the world, and the power of the devil at bay with the hymns of Christ, we will sing. Sing for our supper, His Supper, which becomes for us our source of sing, our David. For our song does not come from inside, but outside of us. 
 
God sets His Table of communion and union and we sing. Our Lord promises His death and resurrection to us, and we sing. We see, touch, smell, taste, and hear that God is good in Word and Sacrament and sing with angels and archangels, with all the company of heaven, and from the final Psalm:
Praise the Lord!
Praise God in His sanctuary;
Praise Him in His mighty firmament! (which happens in the same place!)
Praise him for his mighty deeds [of salvation];
    praise him according to his excellent greatness [on the cross]!
Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet;
Praise Him with the lute and harp!
Praise Him with the timbrel and dance;
Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes (and oboes)!
Praise Him with loud cymbals;
Praise Him with clashing cymbals!
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.
Praise the Lord! (Ps 150)