Savior, like A Shepherd Lead Us, ELW 789
Devotion
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.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
you have bought us; we are yours.
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.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
hear us children when we pray.
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.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
early let us turn to you.
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, love us still.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
you have loved us, love us still.
The title and first line of this hymn is "Savior like a Shepherd Lead Us." It is so easy today to replace the plural "us" with the singular "me." But right away our hymn writer forces us to look beyond ourselves and realize that the love of the shepherd, Jesus, is for "us," "poor or sinful though we be." Dorothy Thrupp, the hymn writer, does not see her life as one of "Jesus and me." But rather the shepherd's arms are pictured as wide and large and encompassing. The shepherd's arms are filled with love, defense, mercy, relief, leading, and tender care for all of God's children.
It is clear enough that Dorothy Thrupp drew the inspiration for her hymn from two scriptures. The first is Psalm 23 which begins, "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want." The second is the tenth chapter of the Gospel of John where Jesus proclaims, "I am the Good Shepherd."
The hymn is filled with words of praise for the Good Shepherd. "Blessed Jesus" rings out like a bell calling to all in a world of need. The hymn writer gives wheels and heart to the picture of the "Good Shepherd." The Good Shepherd has "bought us" and "has loved us and loves us still." So let it be!
Prayer
Dear Lord, mark us today with the melody of your presence. Let "blessed Jesus" be the rhythm that plays over and over in our heart. Amen.