The Circumcision Party

Years ago, on a beautiful Easter morning, our pastor came in to talk to the worship team.  He'd just returned from a sunrise service and was literally glowing from his experience.  He shared how, on one particular song (an old, traditional hymn), they'ed reinterpreted it in such a way that he 'heard' the words in a new and powerful way.  I, being from the 'don't change our traditional hymns' party, stood in brave opposition to this type of change. The Apostle Peter experienced similar opposition when the Jewish believers throughout Judea heard that the gospel message was now being presented and received by Gentiles.  Acts 11:2 says that when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcision party criticized him saying 'you went to uncircumcised men and ate with them!'

Thankfully, after explaining to them how God had shown him in a vision that the gospel was for everyone, verse 18 says that ...they feel silent and glorified God saying 'then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life.'

Unfortunately, I didn't have the same response.  It took years for God to break the legalism that was deep-rooted in my heart.  And although I still suffer with this type of slavery, my merciful God drips grace into my veins day in and day out so that there's hardly a trace of the 'don't change our traditional hymns' party left in me.

"Man of Sorrows," what a name for the Son of God who came...ruined sinners to reclaim!  Hallelujah, what a Saviour!  Philip Bliss, 1838-1876