Jump Start # 3970
Ephesians 2:8 “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.”
John Newton is the one who gave us the wonderful hymn, Amazing Grace. There are books and even a movie about the spiritual journey that slave trader Newton traveled to come to understand the grace of God. The hymn opens with the interesting line, “Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound.” Have you every just allowed your mind to think about that expression? What is the sound of grace? What does grace sound like? It was a sweet sound to John Newton’s heart.
First, grace is a sound that doesn’t make sense. Romans 5:8 says, “…while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” While we were at our worst, God sent the best. While we were impure, God sent the pure. While we were wrong, the right came. At the worst possible time, the best came.
Grace is not getting off because of good behavior. Grace isn’t a pardon after we have paid back all the damage we have caused. Grace isn’t fair. It isn’t right. It doesn’t make sense. Grace is illustrated in the story of the prodigal. The broke, embarrassed and wasteful prodigal should have gotten an earful from his father. He didn’t. He deserved to be sent to the barn or worse, kicked out. He wasn’t. He ought to be forced to pay back all that he spent. He wasn’t. Instead, there was a celebration. There was a feast with music and dancing. None of that made sense to the judgmental older brother. It doesn’t make sense to us. We live by the understanding “if you do the crime, you do the time.” That doesn’t happen when grace is in the air.
Second, grace is the sound of acceptance. Grace is how God demonstrates His love. Unconditional and undeserved love. Grace is the tears of joy trickling down our cheeks. Grace is deep felt bear hugs. Grace is smiles on faces. Grace is joy in hearts. Grace is a plate at the table and a chair with the family. Grace is forgiveness and apologies. Grace is second chances. Grace is the voice that says “I still believe in you.”
Third, grace is the sound of God’s people. Mark Twain once wrote, “Some church people are being good in the worst sense of the word.” Some want the prodigals in our lives to come crawling and begging while we hold council to decide if that is enough to satisfy us. In the prodigal story, the wayward son didn’t even get to finish his apology to his father. The rejoicing father interrupted him and ordered the best to be brought to this broken boy. Sandals on feet that were likely barefoot and dirty. A robe to cover the torn and ragged clothes he likely wore. A ring to be placed on his dirty hands. Food for his empty belly. But, the greatest gift was the tears, hugs and kisses from his father. He wasn’t a servant. He wasn’t cast out. He was invited in. After all that he had done, he was welcomed home.
A person walks in the church building on a Sunday morning. They have not walked through those doors in years. People stare. Someone says loud enough for all to hear, “What are you doing here?” Someone else says, “Where have you been all this time?” Immediately, the heart of this prodigal is crushed. He realizes that this was a mistake. He was hoping for the best. He was looking for grace and all he received was cold stares, hundreds of questions and the obvious feeling that you do not belong here. He leaves telling himself what a mistake this was and the resolute mind that he will never come back again. SHAME ON US! May God forgive us!
Instead, the sound of grace sees that person walking in. With arms opened wide, big smiles, and hearts swelling with joy, the prodigal is embraced. “Come sit with me,” is the invitation. “Can we go out to eat afterwards? It’s on me.” “I’ve missed you.” “I’ve prayed for this day.” “I’m so happy you are here.” The sound of grace. It is the sound of love. It is the sound of forgiveness. It is the sound of acceptance. It is the sound that reaches Heaven. It is the sound that we want to hear if it had been us. It is the sound of angels rejoicing. It is the sound of salvation ringing true.
How sweet the sound—what an amazing lyric. What an amazing expression. What an amazing grace. What an amazing God. Some have not heard that sound in a long, long time. Some have forgotten what that sound sounds like. May that precious sound of grace always ring true within our hearts. May we step out of the shadows of the older brother in Luke 15, and with our Father, embrace those who want to come home to God.
What a sweet, sweet sound.
Roger