Chief of Sinners Though I Be, ELW 609
1 Chief of sinners though I be,
Jesus shed his blood for me,
Died that I might live on high,
Lives that I might never die.
As the branch is to the vine,
I am his, and he is mine.
2 Oh, the height of Jesus' love!
Higher than the heav'ns above,
Deeper than the depths of sea,
Lasting as eternity.
Love that found me--wondrous thought--
Found me when I sought him not.
3 Only Jesus can impart
Balm to heal the wounded heart,
Peace that flows from sin forgiv'n,
Joy that lifts the soul to heav'n,
Faith and hope to walk with God
In the way that Enoch trod.
4 Chief of sinners though I be,
Christ is All-in-All to me;
All my wants to him are known,
All my sorrows are his own.
He sustains the hidden life
Safe with him from earthly strife.
5 O my Savior, help afford
By your Spirit and your Word!
When my wayward heart would stray,
Keep me in the narrow way;
Grace in time of need supply
While I live and when I die.
Devotion
Love that found me; wondrous thought; Found me when I sought him not. King David was not talking with the Lord about Bathsheba. He was protecting himself. Simon, the Pharisee, was curious, so he invited Jesus to his home. Both these people were met with parables that confronted particular issues. By the leading of the Holy Spirit, Nathan brought God's wake-up call to David. King David was then able to see himself as chief of sinners. Jesus and the woman from the city brought the wake-up call to Simon. That call cuts through self-deception to the heart of sin – David’s, Nathan, yours, mine.
Prayer
Holy Spirit, thank you for gathering us together in Jesus Christ. May we provide places for confession and forgiveness in our worship and in our conversations. Let us discover the power of your love in receiving and offering forgiveness in our daily encounters. Amen.