Shepherd

John 10:14-16
I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.

 Savior, like a Shepherd Lead Us LBW

 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, love us still.

Text: Dorothy A. Thrupp, 1779-1847

             Of all the names attributed to Jesus, Shepherd is probably the most beloved.  It is the only title Jesus gave himself (John 10).  We don’t actually know who authored this hymn, it is attributed to Dorothy Thrupp because she published it in a volume of her poetry.  All of her original works bore her initials, DAT, but this one did not so it is assumed that she borrowed it.  Her poetry book was titled “Hymns for Children;” I think this hymn speaks to all ages.

            While you can find the themes of this hymn in John 10, and Psalm 23, the final words of each verse make it powerful…”you have bought us, we are yours….hear us children  when we pray…early let us turn to you…you have loved us, love us still.”  The first verse comes from St. Paul, who wrote in I Corinthians 6:20 “what a privilege to have a shepherd like Jesus, who bought us with his life, who guides us daily, who knows us by name!”

  Prayer: Protection:  We pray for those who often deal with exploitation, victims of abuse and crime because of mental illness.  We pray for those who attempt to harm themselves when in the grip of illness, and we pray that, like a shepherd, God would lead, guide, protect and surround them with His love.  We also pray for their families and caregivers when they are violent or abusive.  Be with them all, love them all, for they are yours.  Amen.