I Love to Tell the Story (Evangelical Lutheran Worship 661)
1 I love to tell the story
of unseen things above,
of Jesus and his glory,
of Jesus and his love.
I love to tell the story,
because I know it’s true;
it satisfies my longings
as nothing else would do.
Refrain:
I love to tell the story;
’twill be my theme in glory
to tell the old, old story
of Jesus and his love.
2 I love to tell the story:
how pleasant to repeat
what seems, each time I tell it,
more wonderfully sweet!
I love to tell the story,
for some have never heard
the message of salvation
from God’s own holy word. [Refrain]
3 I love to tell the story,
for those who know it best
seem hungering and thirsting
to hear it like the rest.
And when, in scenes of glory,
I sing the new, new song,
I’ll sing the old, old story
that I have loved so long. [Refrain]
Text: Katherine Hankey; Music: William E. Fischer; Public Domain
Devotion
I sometimes joke that we love to sing about loving to tell the story much more than we love to go out and tell the story. This hymn’s second verse, however, reminds us that we are called to do something that for many is downright terrifying: to tell the story for someone who has “never heard,” maybe doesn’t want to hear, or, perhaps, has been harmed by Christian teachings or communities. This fear, I’ve found in conversations with parishioners, is often rooted in uncertainty. “What if I can’t answer all their questions?” To that, I say, welcome to the club! But also, allow this fear to be quieted by the simplicity of the call as revealed by this hymn: tell the “old, old story of Jesus and his love.” Witness to what Jesus’ love made known on the cross has done for you—and if you are feeling so bold—for all of creation.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, your love for us is most fully revealed on the cross. Embolden us to tell the old, old story of how your love continues to move and shape our lives and communities and renew and restore God’s good creation. Amen.