|
This painting by Dresden painter Johann Emanuel Gobel was discovered in 1985 and is believed to be a rare portrait of Johann Sebastian Bach. It bears many similarities to authenticated likenesses of the composer with a high forehead, dark pointed eyebrows, and a plumpness to the neck and hands. The composer is holding a fragment of manuscript with notes written upon it. Those notes are his musical signature in some of his works.
I am a fan of classical music. Quite often when I write, I have it playing in the background. I can’t have music with lyrics because it distracts me but I like to have something playing in the background. My prayer is always that the words I am writing are from God and give glory to God and God alone.
It seems Johann Sebastian Bach had the same desire. He was born into a musical family in 1685. By the age of 10, both his parents were dead. Early in his friction-filled life, young Johann decided he would write music, but not just music. He wanted his music to be for the glory of God.
Most of Bach’s works are explicitly biblical. Albert Schweitzer referred to him as “The Fifth Evangelist,” comparing him to Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. At age 17, Bach became the organist at the church and soon after that, was given charge of the entire music ministry.
During his ministry in Weimar, Germany, he wrote a new cantata every month. During one three-year period, he wrote, conducted, orchestrated, and performed a new cantata every week. Quite prolific, wouldn’t you say?
No one had any idea at that time what a mark Bach would leave. His legacy lives on and I have no doubt everyone is familiar with his music.
At the beginning of every authentic manuscript, Bach wrote the letters “J.J.” This stands for Jesu Java (Jesus help me). At the end of each original manuscript you will find the letters “S.D.G.” This stands for Soli Deo Gloria (to the glory of God).
Oh, that our lives would be framed in the same way. That all we did and said would call upon Jesus to help us, not for our sake—but for the glory of God.
|
