“You do not belong to the world” (John 15:19)
“As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world” (John 17:18)
I have always enjoyed George Frideric Handel’s ‘Messiah’ but only recently read more about the composer and his motivation for this wonderful composition and other ‘sacred’ pieces. A musical prodigy, by the age of 9 and through to age 12, tutored by the church organist, he was already composing pieces of worship and playing weekly in the Church at Halle. But it seems he was not only intent on music. He also absorbed scripture and listened avidly to the services and came to a strong faith. By the age of 12 he had mastered keyboard, violin and oboe and had far surpassed his tutor. He had also become a diligent student of Scripture.
Handel believed profoundly that his music should point people to Jesus and make his listeners into better people. For that reason he worked hard at writing words and music that would show the majesty of Jesus. He insisted his work was not for playing only in churches but also for playing in concert halls and theatres and public venues. He took literally the words of Jesus to His disciples that believers are to be in the world though not of it and that they were sent out as witnesses. He firmly believed that the place where we are to show who we belong to is not in our churches but out there in the world.
Surprisingly – and disappointingly – his biggest critics were other Christians who told him ‘music praising Jesus’ should only be played in churches and never outside in the world as this was ‘like throwing pearls to pigs.’ They said ‘it was wrong to have acts of religion in theatres and places of entertainment’. Handel replied: “I have read my bible very well and will choose for myself.” Handel insisted his calling was never to entertain but always to glorify God and to lead people to Jesus. Hallelujah!