MENDELSSOHN, the great composer and organist, was refused permission to play the great Silbermann organ.

GOTTFRIED SILBERMANN was commissioned by Freiburg Cathedral, in 1711 to construct a new organ of three manuals and pedals with 44 registers. This was completed in 1714 and is regarded as the greatest of all organs. It is still there and in use today.

FELIX MENDELSSOHN [1809-1847] was recognised early as a musical prodigy. He was a composer, pianist, organist and conductor of the early Romantic period and is considered one of the Masters.

The famed MENDELSSOHN visited the cathedral at Freiburg, to view the magnificent Silbermann organ and he thrilled as he heard the rich sounds produced by the cathedral organist.

Mendelssohn asked for permission to play the organ. The organist, as usual with such requests, REFUSED but was eventually prevailed upon to agree.

After standing and listening in an ecstasy of delight and amazement,
as Mendelssohn played, the organist asked the stranger his name.
On being told he was the great German composer, he exclaimed:

“How could I have refused the great Mendelssohn
permission to play my organ!?”

I understand the dismay of the organist, but I know that sometimes I do something much, much more foolish.

Do we,
in just such a way as the cathedral organist,
refuse to let the Lord Jesus Christ
have FULL POSSESSION of our ENTIRE LIVES,
so that He can evoke the full melody and harmony
which He alone can produce in us?

 The omnipotent, perfect creator God desires to take an active part in my life. He wants to have pre-eminence in my life.
He wants me to follow Him completely.
He wants me to give Him complete control.
I know the REALITY of His work in me.
I rejoice in the changes He makes in me.
I know that He only desires the very, very best for me
and that He is moulding me into Christlikeness.
My one constant desire
should be for Him to have full control of my life at all times.

Galatians 2:20
I am crucified with Christ:
nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me:
and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.

Colossians 3:3
you are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God

Romans 6:11
reckon yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin,
but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 12:1-2
present your bodies a living sacrifice,
holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
And be not conformed to this world:
but be transformed by the renewing of your mind

Matthew 16:24
Then said Jesus unto his disciples,
If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself,
and take up his cross, and follow Me.

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