“Savior, like a Shepherd Lead Us,” ELW 789 & LBW 481
1 Savior, like a shepherd lead us;
Much we need your tender care.
In your pleasant pastures feed us,
For our use your fold prepare.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
You have bought us; we are yours.
2 We are yours; in love befriend us,
Be the guardian of our way;
Keep your flock, from sin defend us,
Seek us when we go astray.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
Hear us children when we pray.
3 You have promised to receive us,
Poor and sinful though we be;
You have mercy to relieve us,
Grace to cleanse, and pow'r to free.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
Early let us turn to you.
4 Early let us seek your favor,
Early let us do your will;
Blessed Lord and only Savior,
With your love our spirits fill.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
You have loved us, loved us still.
Devotion
Jesus calls himself the good shepherd who will lay down his life for his sheep (John 10:11), explaining that a good shepherd calls his sheep by name and they know and trust his voice (John 10:3). Just as God knows Jesus and Jesus knows God, the good shepherd knows his sheep and the sheep know their shepherd (John 10:14). Sheep are property of a shepherd and a good shepherd will do anything to protect them (even lay down his life). As promised, Jesus “bought us” with his blood on the cross.
Savior, like a shepherd lead us;
Much we need your tender care.
In your pleasant pastures feed us,
For our use your fold prepare.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
You have bought us; we are yours.
Prayer
Blessed Jesus, as we sing about needing your gracious care, grant us the comfort and protection we desire. As we pray for food, nourish us. As we praise your name and thank you for leading us in a way that includes laying down your own life, we give ourselves to you as faithful servants. Amen.