Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring

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.

Martin Janus 1661 transl. from German by Robert S Bridges 1844-1930

We need to eat – when we hunger we know our need of food.  We need to sleep – when we tire we know our need of rest.  We need to drink – when we thirst we know our need of water.  We are creatures of need.

There is a need within us that is not satisfied by anything of food, drink or rest; nor even in the abundant luxuries and distractions of life in the 21st century.  Some have described this need as a ‘God-shaped hole’ inside each of us.  Whilst there is some truth in that, it is simply too reductionist.  God does not plug a hole in our lives: he does not simply ‘complete’ us.  The most fundamental need of our existence is God: a need for life, eternal life, that we find satisfied in Him.

It is only in Christ Jesus – only in supreme God’s self revelation – do we find the joy of our desires being met.  ONLY Jesus is sufficient!  Snacking on religion, napping in self-satisfaction and sipping from a cup of half-truths will only make us heart-sick and keep us far from knowing God. We may know light relief in the present but there will be no eternal satisfaction in true joy unless we eat and drink of the true joy of knowing Jesus.  We may know comfort, but we will never know true rest unless Jesus is our first, last and greatest joy.

On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’”

John 7:37-18