Rebirth

"If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved."

– Romans 10:9-10

[0:00] Following Jesus’ crucifixion in the previous scene, Rebirth begins with quiet uncertainty. String harmonics and heavily reverb-ed marimba form a gentle introduction, and after a moment of silence, a suspended cymbal roll leads the listener into the first section of the piece. 

[1:25] While the previous scene was dominated by abrasive percussion driven by a predictable pulse, Rebirth is built from a delicate soundscape that plays in irregular meter. An assortment of instruments including marimba, choir, glockenspiel, and synth plucks play unhurriedly together forming an ambient backdrop that is supposed to sparkle with a hint of magic. Something miraculous is happening in the story, and the soundscape is constructed to reflect the critical moment in all great tales when all hope had seemed lost, but the unimaginable has started happening. The solo violin, which sounds mournful like the strings heard at the end of the last scene, is offset by a lively flute that shimmers blissfully, as if it is completely unaware of the fact that Jesus is supposed to be dead.

[1:28] The music builds and builds adding anticipation until the horns burst forth into a spectacular proclamation, "Jesus has risen!" 

[1:44] After this, word of the resurrection spreads like wildfire and is met with bewilderment, wonder, and joy, and the piece builds into a classic tale of good triumphing over evil.

[2:00] The rising action crescendos into a flurry of orchestral activity led by the horns, and just before the end of the piece, [2:21] the melody takes the spotlight symbolizing Jesus’ ascent into Heaven.

[2:26] Jesus disappears and the piece ends pretty abruptly, and curiously, harmonically unresolved. While we are overjoyed to hear the good news of the gospel and to know that through Jesus our sins can be forgiven, we find ourselves in an interesting state of “already but not yet”. We have decided to follow Jesus, but until he comes again, we experience the struggle of living in a sinful world while waiting for His return.