For the first time in 55 years, communist North Korea opened its doors to more than 400 U.S. citizens--the New York Philharmonic and their entourage.

While the visit, from the New York Times's description, might be described as well "orchestrated," no one from Kim Jong-il's tight-fisted regime could monitor the tears that welled up in the audience as the strains of “Arirang,” a well-loved Korean folk song, wafted across the concert hall.

New York Times reporter Daniel Wakin said he saw tears in the eyes of his government-appointed "minder," who told him, “My heart is booming. It’s too exciting.”

Now Eric Clapton has an invitation.

After all, David subdued Saul with his music. Could the same thing be happening to North Korea?

(Image © The New York Times)

Comments

[Rolley Haggard]

“Every thing of beauty tells us something about God.”

It probably wouldn’t be hard to convince anyone that the beauty that moved the North Korean people to tears transcended even the New York Philharmonic’s rendering of the simple lyrics and melody of “Arirang”. There are “languages” that, though ineffable, everyone understands - love, conveyed by tender human touch, comes to mind.

It may be instructive that the Helper makes His most profound and fervent appeals for our aid “with groanings which cannot be uttered.” (Romans 8:26). Even He who is called “The Word” conveyed His most important message not with speech but with running blood, as if to say that all things most important and most beautiful are “unspeakable” (2 Corinthians 9:15) and “inexpressible” (1 Peter 1:8). They cannot be merely spoken; they must be lived. They cannot be merely heard; they must be embraced.

The heavens declare, the rocks cry.

No one is saying, but I wonder if we don’t all know what those Koreans heard.