Power Manifested

Power Manifested

When a friend wanted to give us his tickets to a DSO concert one Saturday evening, Al and I were delighted and accepted enthusiastically. We never turn down a chance to go one of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra’s concerts.

Of course, our daughter, Shanda, is a member of the orchestra which makes it even more special. And we usually get to ride with her going and coming—a good time to visit and get caught up on the happenings in her busy life.  

As it turned out, the program that evening consisted of four pieces, three of which were themed around “Salome,” the young maiden who danced at the birthday celebration of Herod Antipas. Herod ruled over the areas of Galilee and Perea in Palestine at the time of Christ. Although there wasn’t a dancer on stage, the story of Salome was told through the music, giving people in the audience opportunity to use their imaginations.

 I expected to hear exotic music of the sort that might accompany an Arabian or Egyptian dancer as she twirled around a lavishly decorated room with King Herod and his wife, Herodias, looking on. Instead, however, each of the three pieces conveyed the feeling of powerful forces and emotions surrounding the famous young dancer.

 Herodias had conspired to put John the Baptist to death after John called the couple out for their unlawful marriage. Her husband arrested John and had him held in prison, but was reluctant to have him put to death. The people liked John, putting pressure on Herod who was caught in the middle.

 After Salome’s provocative dance, he made the mistake of offering her anything that she desired. Now since Salome was the daughter of Herodias, she went to her mother for advice. Then came the awful request when she asked for John the Baptist’s head to be brought to her.

The music was frenzied in places and overall powerful, conveying the idea that there were strong forces at work as she danced, forces that ultimately caused John’s demise. I could almost hear voices calling “Run, Salome, run” over competing voices beckoning her to stay and continue her dance.

Was she just an innocent player in the drama that was unfolding or as the title of that evening’s concert, “Salome’s Seduction,” implied, a knowing accomplice to Herodias’ conspiracy to end John’s life? I left with a sense of awe at the amazing music we had experienced and sorrow at the way John’s story ended.

 Jesus’ story was not so different from that of His cousin John. Both were betrayed, arrested without committing any wrong doing and put to death out of jealousy, fear and hatred.

When some of the women who had followed Jesus faithfully during his three years of ministry came to the tomb early on Sunday morning, they expected to find His body. After all, they had witnessed the crucifixion and had seen Him die.

They had stayed near His cross on Friday, through a violent earthquake and the darkness that shrouded the sun from noon to 3:00 p.m. They watched as the body was taken down and followed Joseph of Arimathea as he carried it to his own tomb. Then, after buying spices to anoint Jesus’ body, they waited all day Saturday until the next morning dawned.

But this is where the story dramatically changed— another earthquake! The stone had been rolled away and the soldiers guarding the body lay prostrate on the ground from fear. The women were met by an angel at the entrance of the empty tomb.

 God’s power over Satan, sin and all evil was manifested in a mighty way when Jesus walked out of that tomb alive! When we think of the resurrection of Christ, we think of God’s power to save us from our sins and grant us eternal life.

 Jesus has won the victory over sin and death! I’m overwhelmed and grateful! How about you?

“There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. The angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.’” Matthew 28: 2-6 NIV