Jesus, True Joy of Man’s Desiring

2 Timothy 1: ⁶ For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. ⁷ For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power,love and self-discipline. ⁸ So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. ⁹ He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, ¹⁰ but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. ¹¹ And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. ¹² That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.

Paul speaks a lot about suffering for Christ and because of his ministry for Christ; yet, Paul in the midst of all of the afflictions demonstrated Joy.  That joy was based on His knowledge of God and Paul’s faith in God’s covenant promises of God providing Paul with everything that he needed.  Paul’s joy was based on a relationship with God which circumstances (no matter how difficult) could not destroy.  Paul had learned Christ was the Greatest Treasure, the only True Joy that could fill man’s empty heart.  It was a Joy worth suffering for, fighting for, and even dying for.  That Joy so unshakeable by life’s fleeting tribulations and Sorrows was kept by focusing on Jesus—the author and finisher of our faith, our love, and our Joy.

^{2 Corinthians 6: 4} But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,

⁵ In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;

⁶ By pureness, by knowledge, by long suffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,

⁷ By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,

⁸ By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true;

⁹ As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;

¹⁰ As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

Below is the music by Sebastian Bach, Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring; but I will include for you three versions of the words, you choose which is best for you to sing along.  Jesus is our only hope for true Joy in every circumstance of life.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FwWL8Y-qsJg

The following is the most commonly heard English version of the piece. It was written by the poet laureate Robert Bridges. It is not a translation of the stanzas used within Bach’s original version, but is inspired by the stanzas of the same hymn composed in 1642 by Johann Schop that Bach had drawn upon: Jesu, meiner Seelen Wonne, the lyrics of which were written in 1661 by Martin Jahn (c. 1620–c. 1682).

Jesu, joy of man’s desiring,

Holy wisdom, love most bright;

Drawn by Thee, our souls aspiring

Soar to uncreated light.

Word of God, our flesh that fashioned,

With the fire of life impassioned,

Striving still to truth unknown,

Soaring, dying round Thy throne.

Through the way where hope is guiding,

Hark, what peaceful music rings;

Where the flock, in Thee confiding,

Drink of joy from deathless springs.

Theirs is beauty’s fairest pleasure;

Theirs is wisdom’s holiest treasure.

Thou dost ever lead Thine own

In the love of joys unknown.

Below are the words written by Martin Jahn, translated into English.

Well for me that I have Jesus,

O how strong I hold to him

that he might refresh my heart,

when sick and sad am I.

Jesus have I, who loves me

and gives to me his own,

ah, therefore I will not leave Jesus,

when I feel my heart is breaking.

Jesus remains my joy,

my heart’s comfort and essence,

Jesus resists all suffering,

He is my life’s strength,

my eye’s desire and sun,

my soul’s love and joy;

so will I not leave Jesus

out of heart and face.

And third; but not least  are the opening stanzas of Jahn’s Jesu, meiner Seelen Wonne.

Jesus, my refuge and deliverer,
Jesus, the ground of my confidence,
Jesus, mighty trampler on the serpent,
Jesus, light of my life!
How my heart longs for you,
dear Jesus, painfully!
Come, ah come, I wait for you,
come,O dearest Jesus!
Jesus, delight of my soul,
Jesus, my best pleasure,
Jesus,my sun of joy,
Jesus, it is well known to you
how I love you from my heart
and am distressed without you.
Therefore O Jesus come to me
and stay with me forever and ever.