A Hymn-Prayer on Jesus as the Way, the Truth, and the Life | Sojourners

A Hymn-Prayer on Jesus as the Way, the Truth, and the Life

Cross & hymnal, Elena Elisseeva / Shutterstock.com
Cross & hymnal, Elena Elisseeva / Shutterstock.com

Jesus' teaching to his followers in John 14:6 is a challenging one in our world filled with people of diverse faiths: "Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." See " What Do Our Beliefs Say About Us?" by Rev. Dr. Guy Nave. The following new hymn lifts up Jesus' teaching in the context of his inclusive ministry seeking God's love and justice for all. John 14:1-14 is the Revised Common Lectionary gospel lesson that will be read in many churches this coming Sunday, May 18th.

Christ, You Are the Savior
ASH GROVE (“Let All Things Now Living”)

Christ, you are the Savior, the Way to the Father,
The Truth we depend on, the Life that we need.
We trust you, believing! We listen, receiving
The joy of the gospel by which we are freed.
Yet, Lord, you remind us: Through mercy you find us,
By grace you forgive us. The way home is yours!
We dare not judge others, our sisters and brothers
Whom you choose to welcome through love's open doors.

With outcast and sinner you sat down to dinner;
You healed the Samaritans, Gentiles, too.
The poor knew your caring-- the rich, your declaring
That God welcomes everyone, not just a few.
A conquering nation brought harsh occupation.
A soldier came asking; you offered a hand.
A thief saw your power in his final hour;
You welcomed him home to God’s heavenly land.

O Lord, all around us, your mercies astound us
As others discover the Way you reveal.
A man whispers, “Help me!” A woman cries, “Mercy!”
A doubter discovers your welcome is real.
O Way to the Father, your mercy is broader
Than we as your people have often proclaimed.
May we welcome others as sisters and brothers,
And treasure the life that we share in your name.

Biblical References: John 14:6; Matthew 7:1-5; Luke 15:2; 17:11-19; 7:1-10; Mark 7:24-30; Luke 7:20-35; 23:39-43

Tune: Welsh folk melody

Text: Copyright © 2014 Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. All rights reserved.

Email: bcgillette@comcast.net Web site: www.carolynshymns.com

Hymn Use Permission: Churches that support Sojourners have copyright permission to use “Christ, You Are the Savior," in their local church.

Carolyn Winfrey Gillette is the author of Songs of Grace: New Hymns for God and Neighbor (Discipleship Resources/Upper Room Books) and Gifts of Love: New Hymns for Today’s Worship (Geneva Press); she and her husband Bruce serve as the co-pastors of Limestone Presbyterian Church in Wilmington, Delaware after serving churches in New Jersey for 20 years. Sojourners' past postings by her includes hymns for Human Rights DayLoving in Truth and Action (I John 3:16-18), MaundyThursday/Jesus’ arrestPalm/Passion SundayAsh Wednesday/Social JusticeWorld Water DayBlessing of the Animals,relief efforts in the Horn of AfricaSeptember 11th anniversarycreation care,economic justiceMatthew 25/disaster reliefimmigration, the Gulf oil spill and war in Iraq. A complete list of the 200+ hymns by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette, many with peace and justice themes, can be found at www.carolynshymns.com.

Image: Cross & hymnal, Elena Elisseeva / Shutterstock.com