Wednesday, 3 December 2014

43. Rock Goes The Gospel - AC/DC "Thunderstruck"


AC/DC's Young brothers - guitarists Angus and Malcolm - wrote this song and the story of it's creation is told in the 2003 re-release of The Razor's Edge, Angus explained in the liner notes: "It started off from a little trick that I had on guitar. I played it to Mal and he said, 'Oh I've got a good rhythm idea that will sit well in the back.' We built the song up from that. We fiddled about with it for a few months before everything fell into place. Now it was the task for the brothers to find a good title, something along the lines of 'Powerage' or 'Highway To Hell.' They came up with "Thunderstruck" to emphasis the theme of Power. AC/DC= Power.

Thunder, thunder, thunder, thunder
I was caught
In the middle of a railroad track
I looked round
And I knew there was no turning back
My mind raced
And I thought what could I do
And I knew
There was no help, no help from you
Sound of the drums
Beating in my heart
The thunder of guns
Tore me apart
You've been
Thunderstruck

Rode down the highway
Broke the limit, we hit the town
Went through to Texas, yeah Texas, and we had some fun
We met some girls
Some dancers who gave a good time
Broke all the rules
Played all the fools
Yeah yeah they, they, they blew our minds
And I was shaking at the knees
Could I come again please
Yeah them ladies were too kind
You've been
Thunderstruck

I was shaking at the knees
Could I come again please

Thunderstruck, Thunderstruck, Thunderstruck, Thunderstruck
It's alright, we're doin' fine
It's alright, we're doin' fine, fine, fine
Thunderstruck, yeah, yeah, yeah
Thunderstruck, Thunderstruck
Thunderstruck, baby, baby
Thunderstruck, you've been Thunderstruck
Thunderstruck, Thunderstruck
You've been Thunderstruck

The idea behind this song is one of "Shock" and "Surprise" a happening that makes you take a step back in amazement or awe at the power of the event that is unfolding. The kind of "Thunderstruck" at  a powerful sunrise or sunset. "Thunderstruck" at a eclipse of the sun or moon. Thunderstruck at the northern lights. Thunderstruck at a group of swans on a canal or cormorants diving to get fish as a friend described his "Thunderstruck" moment to me yesterday. Thunderstruck at the big things as well as the small things in life. Whatever the case being held in that place transfixed as if time was standing still. AC/DC speak about those things in their song. Someone being in the middle of a a railroad track, with no turning back or the thrill of a sexual experience that left them shaking at the knees for AC/DC this is their "Thunderstruck" moment.

In the new testament there are many thunderstruck moments that could be written about from the birth of the world in the book of Genesis to the birth of a child in Matthew's gospel. Lame, blind and sick people being healed in Jesus' ministry. 5,000 people being fed with a few fish and loaves and then collecting 12 baskets full with the left overs. all these are good examples of being "Thunderstruck" but for me there is one occasion that is so powerful and awesome that we need to take another look in this devotion. The transfiguration is a powerful "Thunderstruck" moment.

About a week after Jesus plainly told His disciples that He would suffer, be killed, and be raised to life (Luke 9:22), He took Peter, James and John up a mountain to pray. While praying, His personal appearance was changed into a glorified form, and His clothing became dazzling white. (A "Thunderstruck Moment") Moses and Elijah appeared and talked with Jesus. We are not sure what the conversed about but perhaps it was about His death that would soon take place. 

Peter, not knowing what he was saying and being very fearful, offered to put up three shelters for them. This is undoubtedly a reference to the booths that were used to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles, when the Israelites dwelt in booths for 7 days (Lev. 23:34–42). Peter was expressing a wish to stay in that place. When a cloud enveloped them, a voice said, “This is My Son, whom I have chosen, whom I love; listen to Him!” The cloud lifted, Moses and Elijah had disappeared, and Jesus was alone with His disciples who were still very much afraid. Jesus warned them not to tell anyone what they had seen until after His resurrection. 
Matthew 17:1-8 "After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. 3 Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus. 4 Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” 6 When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. 7 But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” 8 When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus."
Mark 9:2-8 2 "After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. 3 His clothes became dazzling white,whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. 4 And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus. 5 Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 6 (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened. 7 Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!”8 Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus."

Luke 9:28-36 "28 "About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray. 29 As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. 30 Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. 31 They spoke about his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem. 32 Peter and his companions were very sleepy, but when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. 33 As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, “Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (He did not know what he was saying.) 34 While he was speaking, a cloud appeared and covered them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. 35 A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.” 36 When the voice had spoken, they found that Jesus was alone. The disciples kept this to themselves and did not tell anyone at that time what they had seen.
Undoubtedly, the purpose of the transfiguration of Christ was to reveal his heavenly glory so that the “inner circle” of His disciples could gain a greater understanding of who Jesus was. Christ underwent a dramatic change in appearance in order that the disciples could behold Him in His glory. The disciples, who had only known Him in His human body, now were "Thunderstruck"at the deity of Christ, though they could not fully comprehend it. This would give them the reassurance they needed to have faith in face of Jesus pending death. they had a "Thunderstruck" vision of Jesus that kept them rooted to the spot. So much so that Peter wanted to remain there for good. That's why he wanted to build booths, so that they could dwell in.

Not all have been as fortunate as Peter and John the two disciples who saw first hand the transfiguration and were "Thunderstruck" This moment would effect them the rest of their lives. Some see Jesus in simple ways, profound ways but the same feeling is had "Thunderstruck". My prayer today is that you have a revelation of Jesus that will effect the rest of your life. A "Thunderstruck" moment big or small, natural or supernatural that changes something in you and gives you hope and faith for the future. Hope, Faith from an awesome revelation of Jesus. Now that's power indeed.  





No comments:

Post a Comment