Jesus and Shall It Ever Be
Jesus and shall it ever be
Jesus and Shall It Ever Be is a hymn text by John Bode (1866) in 8.7.8.7 meter. Found in CW93 347, ELH 471, th 589, tlh 346.
The hymn reflects Lutheran emphasis on the Christian's public confession of faith despite worldly pressure, rooted in Mark 8:38's warning about denying Christ. It articulates the law's demand for courageous discipleship while implying the Gospel's empowerment through Christ's presence.
History & Background
Written by English clergyman John Bode in 1866, this hymn appeared in his collection 'Hymns from the Gospels.' It gained prominence through inclusion in The Lutheran Hymnal (1941) where it remains a staple of Lutheran hymnody.
Hymnal Appearances
- Christian Worship — 347
- Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary — 471
- Trinity Hymnal — 589
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 346
Bulletin Note
Written by John Bode in 1866, this hymn roots Lutheran discipleship in the paradox of the cross: we gain our lives by risking them for Christ's sake, and we find courage through his promised intercession.
Preaching Connection
This hymn amplifies the Law's demand for courageous discipleship from Mark 8:38 while proclaiming the Gospel's assurance that Christ's acknowledgment of us empowers our public confession.
Overview
Joseph Grigg's hymn on being ashamed of Jesus, reportedly written as a boy (Grigg's precocity is part of the hymn's legend). Shall a mortal be ashamed of him whom angels praise? (st. 1). As soon let evening blush at a star or midnight be ashamed of noon (st. 2-3); my only shame should be that I revere him too little (st. 4); I may be ashamed of him when I have no guilt to wash, no tear to wipe, no soul to save (st. 5) — until then I boast a Savior slain, and pray that Christ will not be ashamed of me (st. 6).
Central theme: Boasting in the crucified Savior rather than being ashamed of him, since without him the sinner has nothing
Structure
Six long-meter quatrains built on the repeated question 'Ashamed of Jesus?' Angels' praise (1) — evening/star (2) — midnight/noon (3) — true shame (4) — when I need nothing (5) — boast (6).
Law & Gospel Shape
Law: 'guilt to wash away'; 'this benighted soul' (2, 5). Gospel: 'a Savior slain'; 'Christ is not ashamed of me' (6).
Confessional Connections
Mark 8:38 (TLH's text): 'whoever is ashamed of me and of my words… of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed.' St. 5 is the theological key: I could be ashamed of Christ only if I had 'no guilt to wash away' — confession of Christ flows from knowing my need (Law) and his gift (Gospel). St. 6: 'I boast a Savior slain' (Gal 6:14; 1 Cor 1:23-24) — the theology of the cross. The final line turns from my confession to his: 'Christ is not ashamed of me' — 'he is not ashamed to call them brothers' (Heb 2:11). Confession of faith before men (AC XXI; Matt 10:32).
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
Confirmation; confession of faith; Trinity season; mission.
Historical Notes
Grigg (c. 1720-1768), English Presbyterian minister; published 1765 in Four Hymns on Divine Subjects. The story that he wrote it at age ten is traditional (verify).
About the Tune
FEDERAL STREET (Henry K. Oliver, 1832).
Scripture References
Mark 8:38 Rom 1:16 2 Tim 1:8 2 Tim 1:12 Rev 5:11-12 John 8:12 Rev 22:16 Gal 6:14 1 Cor 2:2 Heb 2:11 Heb 11:16 1 John 1:7
Stanza by Stanza
Jesus! Will it ever be that a mortal man is ashamed of you — ashamed of you, whom angels praise, whose glories shine through endless days?
'Whoever is ashamed of me and of my words' (Mark 8:38). 'Worthy is the Lamb' (Rev 5:12). 'I am not ashamed of the gospel' (Rom 1:16).
- Scripture
- Mark 8:38, Rom 1:16, Rev 5:11-12
- Imagery & language
- Ashamed?; angels praise; endless glory.
- Law / Gospel
- Law — the absurdity of shame.
- Connection to previous
- Ashamed?
Ashamed of Jesus? Far sooner let evening blush to own a star. He sheds the beams of divine light over this darkened soul of mine.
'I am the light of the world' (John 8:12). The soul by nature in darkness (Eph 5:8).
- Scripture
- John 8:12, Eph 5:8
- Imagery & language
- Evening; star; light divine; benighted soul.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — Christ the light.
- Connection to previous
- Evening and star.
Ashamed of Jesus? Just as soon let midnight be ashamed of noon. It is midnight in my soul until he, the bright Morning Star, makes the darkness flee.
'The bright morning star' (Rev 22:16). 'The day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts' (2 Pet 1:19).
- Scripture
- Rev 22:16, 2 Pet 1:19
- Imagery & language
- Midnight; noon; Morning Star.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — darkness dispelled.
- Connection to previous
- Midnight and noon.
Ashamed of Jesus, that dear Friend on whom my hopes of heaven depend? No; when I blush, let this be my shame: that I no longer revere his name.
'I know whom I have believed' (2 Tim 1:12). True shame is unfaithfulness, not confession.
- Scripture
- 2 Tim 1:12, 2 Tim 1:8
- Imagery & language
- Dear Friend; hopes of heaven; true shame.
- Law / Gospel
- Law — the right shame.
- Connection to previous
- True shame.
Ashamed of Jesus? Yes, I may be — when I have no guilt to wash away, no tears to wipe, no joy to long for, no fears to calm, no soul to save.
The irony of the Law: only one who needs nothing could be ashamed of the Savior. 'The blood of Jesus… cleanses us from all sin' (1 John 1:7).
- Scripture
- 1 John 1:7, Rev 21:4, Luke 5:31-32
- Imagery & language
- Guilt; tears; fears; soul to save.
- Law / Gospel
- Law — universal need.
- Connection to previous
- When I need nothing.
Until then — and the boast is not empty — until then I boast of a Savior who was slain. And may this be my portion: that Christ is not ashamed of me!
'Far be it from me to boast except in the cross' (Gal 6:14). 'He is not ashamed to call them brothers' (Heb 2:11); 'God is not ashamed to be called their God' (Heb 11:16).
- Scripture
- Gal 6:14, 1 Cor 2:2, Heb 2:11, Heb 11:16
- Imagery & language
- Boast; Savior slain; Christ not ashamed.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — Christ owns us.
- Connection to previous
- Boast a Savior slain.
Themes
Discipleship Christian courage Confession of faith Following Christ Suffering witness