The bulk of my time during the "6 hours" of this particular Good Friday were spent with two gifted individuals - Des and Linda. They were able to encourage me and give me great insight into what this day truly means in the life of a believer and follower of Jesus Christ. You see, Des and Linda are piano tuners.
My piano, no joke, has not been tuned in a l-o-n-g time. It has only been my piano for 3 years, and in that time no tuner was consulted. Previously owned by my in-laws, they confessed to me that it was probably the late 70s when my beloved instrument was last serviced. "Criminal!" I hear piano police muttering under their collective breath; and they are correct. What now sits in my living room is drastically different from the instrument I walked past last night on my way to bed. The case is the same, the strings the same, the keys are the same; and yet there is a profound difference that has been effected by an encounter with a maestro.
History tells us that two millenia ago this weekend Jesus died (as the Scripture said he would), was buried and rose again (as Scripture said). One of the practical results of that event is that lives are capable of being drastically changed. When my life encountered that Babe born in Bethlehem, that Teacher of the Twelve, that Christ of the Cross, that Maestro of majesty a profound difference was made - immediately. To borrow the musical metaphor, my flattened notes were tuned to perfect pitch by Him. My discordant strings were brought into unity with His standard of beauty and harmony. My case, with all its nicks and dents, was polished into a gleaming display of His craftsmanship. Only the most careless observer would miss the obvious transformation that has taken place.
At least that is how it is supposed to be. I was impressed by Des and Linda's obvious love and care for musical instruments. Their appreciation and total service of my instrument (they took it apart and cleaned and polished every surface - using tools as small as tiny brushes) made me think twice about using the piano as an end table. Their loving care made me value my possession after seeing how well they treated it.
Thinking back to the event this Good Friday commemorates, how ought I treat my salvation, after observing the loving care that provided it for me? O God, I've treated Your Son's sacrifice too lightly, I'm afraid. This life that was purchased and polished for Your glory has been turned into an end table, a place where odds and ends collect and dust easily accumulates. Today, as I remember the price paid for my sin, give me a greater appreciation for Your sacrifice; one that transfers into the daily living of my life in a way that pleases and brings glory to You alone. May the notes of my life's song be music - true music - in Your ears.
