Thankful that the master's touch has changed and blessed my life

On Saturday, March 19, my devotional readings included the poem, “The Master’s Touch.” I have read this poem before, and it had meaning for me. And, as I considered the words this time, this poem touched my heart and soul again.

‘Twas battered and scarred, and the auctioneer; Thought it scarcely worth his while; To waste much time on the old violin, But he held it up with a smile. “What am I bidden, good folks” he cried. “Who’ll start the bidding for me?” “A dollar, a dollar, now two, only two, Two dollars, and who’ll make it three? “Three dollars once, three dollars twice; Going for three.” But no – From the room far back, a gray haired man; Came forward and picked up the bow. Then wiping the dust from the old violin; And tightening up all the strings; He played a melody pure and sweet, As sweet as the angel sings. The music ceased and the auctioneer; With a voice that was quiet and low; Said, “What am I bid for this old violin?” And he held it up with the bow. “A thousand dollars, and who’ll make it two? Two thousand and who’ll make it three? Three thousand once, three thousand twice; And going, and gone,” said he. The people cheered, but some of them cried “We do not quite understand – What changed its worth?” Swift came the reply, “The touch of the master’s hand.” And many a man with life out of tune, And battered and torn with sin; Is auctioned cheap to a thoughtless crowd, Much like the old violin. A mess of pottage, a life of shame, A game and he travels on. He’s going once, and going twice, He’s going and almost gone. But the Master comes and the foolish crowd; Never can quite understand;The worth of a soul and the change that’s wrought; By the touch of the Master’s hand.” “The Touch of the Master’s Hand”, Anonymous, “For All the Saints” Volume III, pages 893-4.

This poem is not just some sentimental verse. The poem illustrates the truth of God’s life-changing love for us in Jesus. St. Paul teaches in 2 Corinthians 5:17-19. “17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.”There are at least two important applications to the truth of God’s life changing love in these words of God from Paul. First, do you look down on someone because they are torn and tattered by the sin of this world, the sin in their life? Remember, this person too is a child of God, created in wisdom, power, and love. God hates the sin, but He still loves and He longs for His child. Imagine what the touch of The Master might do!

Second, do you personally feel lost in the grime and destruction of the sin and shame in your own life? You are not hopeless. Neither is your life hopeless. The love of God in Jesus is true for you. “17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ. . .” Pray for and expect the gracious, forgiving, touch of your Lord and Master!

Jesus performed many miracles in His time on earth. I am convinced that, greater than calming the storm, greater than the feeding of the 5000, is when Jesus melts a hard heart with His undeserved forgiveness and love and changes a life. May you know the gracious, forgiving, loving, touch of The Master’s hand in the dark corners of your life. May you share that touch in the lives of others.