More About Jesus

“More about Jesus would I know,
More of His grace to others show;
More of His saving fullness see,
More of His love Who died for me.

Chorus
More, more about Jesus,
More, more about Jesus;
More of His saving fullness see,
More of His love Who died for me.

More about Jesus let me learn,
More of His holy will discern;
Spirit of God, my teacher be,
Showing the things of Christ to me.

More about Jesus; in His Word,
Holding communion with my Lord;
Hearing His voice in every line,
Making each faithful saying mine.

More about Jesus; on His throne,
Riches in glory all His own;
More of His kingdom’s sure increase;
More of His coming, Prince of Peace.”

The word “more” is one of the unique adjectives in the English language in that to understand its meaning you have to combine it with other words and put them into context.  For example, is “more” good or bad?  More bills to pay – bad.  More french fries in the super size meal – good.  During this holiday season, we will all encounter the word “more” in a variety of situations.  At my Aunt Nancy’s house at Thanksgiving, there will be “more” food than we know what to do with.  My Aunt will ask everyone at least once before the day is over, “Hon, do you want more to eat?”  Sales circulars will promote “more” great deals, “more” selection, and “more” shopping hours.  Products will advertise “more” features than last year’s model.  Our children will get “more” toys than they need.  In many ways, our society is both blessed and cursed by having “more.”  The “more” that we have has not always brought “more” peace and contentment in our lives.  For many people, the holidays are filled with “more” family problems and “more” dissatisfaction with their life.  This hymn reminds us, however, that when our prayer is for the right kind of “more” – More of Jesus – we know that “more” of Him will always be a blessing.

Couple of lines that I want to highlight are:

• “More of His grace to others show” – In our displays of kindness and grace to others, we can become proud because we think we are doing it out of the goodness of our heart.  The reality is that when we show grace to others we are really showing His grace to them.  Our good works and good deeds should point others to our Father in Heaven, and should be a constant reminder of how much God has given His grace to us.  Jesus said “Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”  “More” good works should not build us up with pride, but should point others to God.

• “Spirit of God, my teacher be, showing the things of Christ to me” – In the New Testament, Jesus was often called “Teacher” by the disciples and by the crowds.  However, most of us probably don’t think about the Holy Spirit as a teacher.  For many people, the Holy Spirit is little more than the “voice on their shoulder” reminding them what they should or should not do.  How much more can we grow and learn when we have the desire to be taught by reading the Word and letting the Holy Spirit “teach” us what the Word is trying to say? Psalm 143:10 says “Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God.  Thy Spirit is good;  lead me into the land of uprightness.”

• “Hearing His voice in every line.  Making each faithful saying mine” – When you read the Bible, do you ask yourself – How does this apply to me?  One of the most powerful things about the Bible is that each of us can read a passage of Scripture and get something different out of it.  We experience different things in our lives, and certain Scriptures will impact us more because of our particular background.  All of us can, however,  take the promises of Scripture and make them our own. We can memorize them and remind ourselves that God wrote these words to us and for us.  Many people have a “life verse” – a verse that is more meaningful to them.  This hymn reminds us that we can take “each saying” and “every line” and make them our own and apply them to our life.

Is you prayer this holiday season “Give me More?”  Better yet, does God want you to have “more?”  Jesus said in Matthew 7:11, “If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!”  God does wants to give us more.  More good gifts.  More of what we need.  More blessing so that we might bless others and show God’s grace to them.  But most importantly, He wants  us to know more about His Son – Jesus.