Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Where Pain and Delight Flow...

ht: Ben Eilers
Piper talks about his favorite quote in the Lord of the Rings Triology:

And all the host laughed and wept, and in the midst of their merriment and tears the clear voice of the minstrel rose like silver and gold, and all men were hushed. And he sang to them…until their hearts, wounded with sweet words, overflowed, and their joy was like swords, and they passed in thought out to regions where pain and delight flow together and tears are the very wine of blessedness. (The Return of the King, 933)


He says,
Like those who listened to the minstrel’s song, we who see our Savior in the last day will also be made merry with the story of his victory. And we too will be hushed by and wounded with the sweet words that are sung of his self-sacrifice on our behalf.

We will have joy like swords—bright and piercing—and all of the pain and loss of Christ’s death (and our daily dying with him) will only mix with and enhance our bliss.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Matt, thanks for the props (though not necessary). . . now back to the best book ever -- "Hermeneutical Spiral".