FELIX MENDELSSOHN was one of the world’s greatest musicians. When he heard that there was a very wonderful organ in the old cathedral of Frieburg he longed to be able to play on it.
So one day he traveled to the little town and went into the building where the organ was. Having found the old man who was in charge, he asked permission to play the organ for a little while. But the old man shook his head and said, “No! No stranger is ever allowed to play on that wonderful organ.”
But Mendelssohn talked so long and so lovingly about the organ, and begged so hard to be allowed to play on it for just a little while, that at last the caretaker gave his consent.
The stranger began to play and the old man listened. Soon the great building was overflowing with the grandest melody it had ever heard. It rolled out of the doors and windows into the town and fields beyond. Never before had the organ played such glorious music.
As the playing stopped the old man with eyes full of tears laid his hands on the stranger’s shoulder and exclaimed, “Wonderful man! Who are you?”
When he heard the name Mendelssohn, the old man drew back and cried, “And I refused to let you play my organ!”
May this story remind us that a heavenly Stranger waits at the heart’s door, longing to enter. His name is Jesus. He is “the chiefest among ten thousand” (Song of Sol. 5:1010My beloved is white and ruddy, the chiefest among ten thousand. (Song of Solomon 5:10)). He is able to fill your hearts with such joy and gladness as could never be known before and that forever. Your only regret will be that you did not let Him in sooner.
ML-05/26/1974