I Need Jesus
Words: George Orlia Webster (b. Apr. 25, 1866; d. Oct. 1, 1942)
Music: Charles Hutchinson Gabriel (b. Aug. 18, 1856; d. Sept. 15, 1932)
Note: George Webster was a long-time pastor and a gospel songwriter. The Cyber Hymnal lists well over 200 of his songs. This one was written in 1923. The Wordwise link below will tell you how it came to be written.
(Stanza numbers in brackets below refer to the stanza number in The Cyber Hymnal. Find the link at the bottom of the article.)
The word “need” is used twenty-five times in this simple song. Repetitious? Yes. But it’s a truth that bears repeating. The work of Christ on our behalf, and His intervention to meet our need, are indispensable.
We need the provision of the Lord Jesus Christ for our eternal salvation. That truth is mentioned so many times in the Scriptures that it can not be avoided or leave any room for doubt.
“God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life….He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him” (Jn. 3:16, 36).
“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me’” (Jn. 14:6).
“Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).
“For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all” (I Tim. 2:5-6).
“This is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life” (I Jn. 5:11-12).
If we are to escape eternal condemnation, it will only be through faith in the finished work of Christ, through trusting in His death and resurrection as being for us. That is the heart of the gospel (I Cor. 15:1, 3).
But it doesn’t end there. The past and present work of Christ are essential to our Christian life and service. In a passage that deals with future rewards (I Cor. 3:11-15), the Bible reminds us:
No other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 3:11
We have the promise of His presence with us along our pilgrim way (Matt. 28:20), and of heavenly resources available to us, through Christ (Phil. 4:19). We also have the assurance of His advocacy on our behalf, when we sin (I Jn. 2:102). When we are in need, we can appeal at the throne of God for needed grace and mercy, with the confidence that Christ, our great High Priest in heaven, fully sympathizes with us (Heb. 4:14-16). In a time of danger and difficulty, the Apostle Paul testified:
The Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. And I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!
II Tim. 4:17-18
(1) I need Jesus, my need I now confess;
No friend like Him in times of deep distress;
I need Jesus, the need I gladly own;
Though some may bear their load alone,
Yet I need Jesus.
I need Jesus, I need Jesus,
I need Jesus every day;
Need Him in the sunshine hour,
Need Him when the storm clouds low’r;
Every day along my way,
Yes, I need Jesus.
(2) I need Jesus, I need a friend like Him,
A friend to guide when paths of life are dim;
I need Jesus, when foes my soul assail;
Alone I know I can but fail,
So I need Jesus.
We know that Christians will give account of their service at the Judgment Seat of Christ (Rom. 14:10; II Cor. 5:10). There is in this a strong motivation. We want to please the One who has enlisted us in His service (II Tim. 2:3-4). It should be for us as it was for Paul. His love for Christ, and his desire to please Him, was a strong motivator (Phil. 1:21; 3:7-14).
Questions:
- What need has been met in your life this week, by the Lord Jesus Christ?
- Do you think there are Christians who haven’t availed themselves of what they have in Christ? (And, if so, why is that?)
Links:
- 1 October 1942 – George Webster Died
- George Webster (The Cyber Hymnal)
- I Need Jesus (Hymnary.org)