Legacies of Light: Johann Sebastian Bach

Share a comment

What if hope isn’t a mood but a muscle that holds under weight? We take a clear-eyed look at the difference between wishful thinking and a living hope anchored in God’s promises, then trace how that kind of hope changes how we suffer, work, and speak. Starting with everyday longings and honest humor, we move into the deeper currents: why hearts grow sick without hope, why confident expectation is not denial, and how Scripture trains our desires to rest on what God has said about our past, present, and future.

From there, we focus on the question people actually ask when life gets loud: why do you still have hope? Peter’s call to be ready with a gentle answer shapes our approach—no swagger, no arguments for sport, just credible lives and clear words. Along the way, we confront our rush for cultural quick fixes and see how God loves long timelines. The story of Johann Sebastian Bach becomes our case study: an orphaned musician who prayed “Jesus, help me,” signed “Soli Deo Gloria,” suffered deeply, died forgotten, and yet helped carry the gospel of hope across oceans and centuries.

The arc reaches modern Japan, where rituals have thinned and despair often wins the day. Through performances of the Passion of St. Matthew, conversations bloomed around a single theme: hope in the midst of suffering and a future secured by the resurrection. Choirs formed, skeptics listened, and some found faith—not through a lecture, but through beauty done with excellence. That’s the invitation for us too: use the craft we’ve been given, work with integrity, and let daily prayers turn labor into witness.

If your world is tapping out the old question—Is there any hope?—the answer is yes. Let’s learn to name it, live it, and share it with humility and joy. If this resonates, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs courage, and leave a review telling us how you’ve seen hope show up this week.

What does it look like to live a holy life? In In Pursuit of Holiness, Stephen shows you how to think clearly, resist sin, and live differently in a culture that pulls you the other way. Move beyond information to real application. Get your copy today and take your next step with Christ. https://bit.ly/4v5aktw

Learn more: https://www.wisdomonline.org/

Support the show