Some years ago I was at a conference at Valparaiso University during which an organist played a work by Bach with seventeen variations on a theme. After the organist got through about nine of them, I thought, “Okay Johann, you’re just showing off now.”
During the last week in July the church commemorates J. S. Bach who lived in Germany from 1685 to 1750. Though I thought nine variations on a theme would have been plenty, his music conveys to us the heart and core of the good news of Jesus’ death and resurrection.
Here is how he begins his St. Matthew Passion. A chorus calls our attention to Jesus walking toward the cross.
Come you daughter, share my mourning.
See Him! - Whom? - The Bridegroom Christ.
See Him! - How? - A spotless Lamb.
See it! - What? - His patient love.
Look! - Look where? - On our guilt.
Look on Him. For love of us
He Himself His Cross is bearing.
Those simple words remind me of the Dick and Jane books from which I learned to read in First grade. Yet, in Bach’s hand the simple words have all the depth of meaning of God’s love for us in Christ Jesus.
By Rev. Ronald Jansen
Comments