Musical Mismatch – Abide in the Vine

It felt like a brain warp, former procrastinators.  Recently our granddaughter was singing.

“Fa-la-la-la-la-laa -la-la-la-la-laa – la-la-la-la-la-la-la

Fa- la-la-la-laa-laa”

The tune was clear as a bell and right on the money.  But I couldn’t place it.  I was thrown off by the “fa-la’s.”  They were from “Deck the Halls.”  She was singing “Deck the Halls” to “Gloria in Excelsis.”  Oh, that messed with my mind.  You go back and try it!  Then, she threw in “I got a Christmas pre-sent.”  And topped it off with “Gingerbread House.”  Huh?

The analogy is lacking, but here at Resurrection season, the musical mismatch made me think of the Pharisees and their problem with Jesus.  For them, the words and music did not match up.  Their preconceived ideas didn’t allow for Him to be the Christ.  It seems…

They were set in their ways, partly based on a long passage of time since God had spoken.  But God was speaking now.

They knew the scriptures but did not recognize that the prophecies matched up with Jesus. They could not recognize truth.

They were inclined to want a military leader for an earthly kingdom.  He was a spiritual leader for a heavenly kingdom.

They wanted to continue in control for their benefit.  His kingdom rule wouldn’t allow for that.

They wanted bold and commanding.  He was humble – yet bold and commanding.

They had detailed rules for strict outward obedience.  He spoke of joyous obedience from  transformed hearts.

They were earthly authorities.  He was authoritative in an unearthly and unnerving way.

They had been entrusted with God’s guidance for His people.  Now God was here to claim His own.

They added requirements to those God gave, throwing in their own guidance to top things off.  Jesus didn’t think much of their additions.

They had power.  He was the power before whom theirs faltered.

Their terms and His terms collided.

Both claimed to point the way to God, but Jesus was God.  He is God.

They clung tightly to being in charge.  He patiently followed the Father’s will, waiting for His purpose to be revealed.

They were determined to prevent His influence.  His resurrection is the most influential event in all of history – and Jesus the most influential person.

We can sometimes be little Pharisees, the captains of our souls, of how others should behave.  What a relief to step off that imaginary pedestal and kneel before the One Who is Worthy – even if we disagree or don’t understand what all that means.  We slow down and stop talking.  Let His Holy Spirit reveal to us what we need to know.  And surrender.

Then the music and the lyrics start to match up.  Abiding in the Vine, we begin to understand and to sing with joy. We are not the Vine, we are branches. His risen life flows through us.

There’s a dissonance or a mismatch when we look anywhere else for Life.

Where are you looking for Life?