9th April 2013

Vocal fever has again hit Sydney in this season’s epidemic of The Voice. The blind auditions have now begun, and another group of golden tonsils are singing their hearts out to the backs of four judges, who turn around either if they’re impressed or think that they can take on the voice, and take it somewhere. And so far, so good. Some very talented tonsils have stepped onto the stage and into the spotlight.

But none of them hold a candle to that first Voice. For in that first golden episode, the apostle John was in the chair, his back to the Voice in an Island studio, when the Voice began to sing in a tone that sounded like rushing waters. So dynamic and full. So rich and engaging, and powerful and compelling. And John, unable to press his buzzer for loss of strength, turned and saw the sight of Him whose eyes literally lit up the stage. “Don’t be afraid,” said the Voice, “I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.”

The apostle was then given the strength to watch the Battle Rounds, and to see the story through to its conclusion. And in the last line of his record of the event (Revelation 22), he sums up the heart and mind and soul of the Voice, and the hope of all who are loyal to it: “The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.”

DM, 9^th April 2013