I'd Rather Have Jesus

Okay, last week's hymn was rather stuffy, perhaps, although I loved it myself. How about a "more contemporary" hymn?

I'd Rather Have Jesus

I'd rather have Jesus than silver or gold,
I'd rather be His than have riches untold;
I'd rather have Jesus than houses or land,
I'd rather be led by His nail-pierced hand:

Refrain
Than to be the king of a vast domain or be held in sin's dread sway!
I'd rather have Jesus than anything this world affords today.

I'd rather have Jesus than men's applause,
I'd rather be faithful to His dear cause;
I'd rather have Jesus than worldwide fame,
I'd rather be true to His holy name:

He's fairer than lilies of rarest bloom,
He's sweeter than honey from out of the comb;
He's all that my hungering spirit needs -
I'd rather have Jesus and let Him lead:

Originally a poem by Rhea Miller, the song was set to music and popularized by George Beverly Shea. It demonstrates a focus almost unknown in the church today.

In Philippians 1, Paul writes, "For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." Paul's focus was on the greater glory of God. Paul, writing from Roman imprisonment, awaiting possible execution, recognized the true purpose of life Christ. Given this focus, living would further the cause of Christ and dying would put him in the presence of his beloved Savior. Paul's position was a no lose proposition. Regardless of the outcome, Paul would gain.

This song carries the same focus. "I'd rather have Jesus." For most of us, to live is something other than Christ. Life consists of silver or gold, riches and the quest for it, property, power, or applause. We want so many other things other than Christ. The problem is, all of that is lost at death. If, for me, to live is wealth, power, or fame, then to die is loss. It is only in a sole focus on Jesus that we can obtain gain here and in death. We need that eternal focus.

Some of our reasons for failing this focus are hinted at in the song. One is the bright baubles offered by the world. We've bought into the lie that success is measured in dollars. We believe that power is worth something. We long for our much vaunted "15 minutes of fame." All are lies, offering nothing of eternal value.

On the negative side, what Christ seems to offer is unwanted or inconsequential. His nail pierced hands are a sad reminder of sin, our sin. Our culture doesn't want to face personal sin. Then there is His "dear cause." We consider that irrelevant to our lives. His "holy Name" is little more than an expletive to us. How sad that we fail so miserably to see the truth.

In truth, His nail pierced hands represent ultimate victory over sin and death, a feat unequalled anywhere. His cause encompasses paths and plans we can't even comprehend. His holy Name is the Name, the Name above all names. It is sheer foolishness not to align ourselves with Him, and our failure to see that is proof of the deceitfulness of our hearts (Jer. 17:9).

The songwriter recognized this truth and more. "I'd rather have Jesus than anything this world affords today." Why? Because of the victory of the cross. Because of the richness of His plans. Because of His sovereignty. And more. His beauty exceeds our comprehension. The lily pales in comparison. His sweetness is beyond our experience. Honey doesn't hint at it. The fact is, while we believe that money, power, or recognition are necessities in life, Christ is all we need.

This viewpoint alters our entire approach to life. If what we think is necessary isn't necessary, what is? Christ is. A relationship with the sovereign Lord is. A connection with the omnipotent, omniscient, loving God is. A realization that "He is God and I am not" is. These are necessary. Pursuit of anything this world has to offer is a waste. How much of your life are you wasting? Is Jesus your focus?