I suffer from worms!
Ear-worms that is!
Those pesky little snippets of tunes and songs that get stuck in your head and won’t go away. If you’ve ever visited one of the Disney parks you may have heard, “it’s a small world, after all” and now you can’t un-hear it! My apologies if I just triggered that response in you.
Psychologists tell us that there is no cure for ear-worms, the best you can do is to replace the melody with something equally catchy that doesn’t annoy you so much.
Growing up in The Salvation Army and in Brass Bands there are definitely ear-worms galore amongst the Marches, Selections and Meditations of the repertoire. You can’t ever forget the introduction to “Star Lake”, or “The Scarlet Jersey” or “Under Two Flags” (among many, many others).
Dean Goffin’s “The Light of the World” is a beautiful piece of music, but the worm it triggers for me are the words associated with the tune “Aurelia” —
O Jesu, thou art standing outside the fast-closed door, in lowly patience waiting to pass the threshold o'er: shame on us, Christian brethren, his name and sign who bear, oh shame, thrice shame upon us to keep him standing there! — William Walsham How
I learned a slightly modified version of How’s original words, but with the same meaning and intent, and it’s those words that are stuck in my consciousness —
Shame on us Christian people, Whose name and sign we bear…etc
In much the same way as Peter and Paul started with names different than the ones we most associate with them (Simon, Saul), we too have had our names changed or superseded when we accept the Lordship of Christ. Our identity is intertwined with His. We are now called “Jesus followers”, (I hesitate to use the word “Christ-ian” because that meaning has been twisted out of all recognition).
But bearing the name of Jesus comes with great power and responsibility. The name of Jesus comes with signs and wonders attached:
“These miraculous signs will accompany those who believe: They will cast out demons in my name, and they will speak in new languages” Mark 16:17 NLT
“Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” Acts 4:30 NLT
“I want you all to know about the miraculous signs and wonders the Most High God has performed for me. How great are his signs, how powerful his wonders! His kingdom will last forever, his rule through all generations.” Daniel 4:2,3 NLT
Jesus was often irritated in His ministry by people who only followed Him to see magic tricks (signs and wonders), but inevitably when He demonstrated His power and authority miraculous things happened.
When the disciples of John the Baptist came to inquire about Jesus’ authenticity, He gave this reply:
“Go back to John and tell him what you have seen and heard—the blind see, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor.” Luke 7:22 NLT
Essentially Jesus was telling them, “look at the signs and wonders and decide for yourselves”.
You can’t be around Jesus and not see miracles happen in the lives of those He touches.
It worries me when I see see people who want to claim the name of Christ in their lives but live completely unchanged from their previous behavior. Bearing the name of Christ inevitably comes with the sign and wonder of a changed life, and may then expand to other signs as they seek to serve suffering humanity in His name.
As the hymn says, it is shame to bear the name of Christ without letting Him possess us and letting His Holy Spirit perform signs, wonders and miracles in and through us!
Before we fall back on the excuse of our frailty, let’s remember Paul’s admonition to the church at Philippi,
“…I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13
Signs and wonders indeed!
We have the power — the name of Jesus — let’s deploy it!
Expect the really unexpected!
Blessings on you and yours, Jim Black
P.S. if you’d like to read previous ruminations of mine they can be found at https://www.salvationarmyconcordca.org/chronicle/?category=Bible%20Study