About the Hymn
When Jesus called the first disciples to follow him, they immediately abandoned the boats and nets that comprised their livelihoods and apprenticed themselves to him. What they had heard and seen in the short time they’d known this rabbi from Nazareth was winsome enough to evoke that dramatic response.
Christ’s message is still just as winsome. The gospel is good news. Good. News.
It is not a call to legalism and its silent partners, hypocrisy and self-righteousness. It is not a call to hypervigilance or asceticism. It is not a call to a cognitive system.
Christ’s call is to a new way of living and a new way of seeing ourselves and others—through him. The good news he shares is that he loves us beyond all telling. He forgives us for all the ways we’ve missed the mark, causing pain to him, ourselves, and others. He asks us to turn—to repent—and gives us second chances. When we are so loved, we want to respond in gratitude, and he tells us how: to love others as he loves us (John 13:34). The disciples he called that day learned three years later the depth of that love as he allowed himself to be betrayed, captured, and executed—so that they could remain his followers and friends for all eternity.
Christ’s good news is like rain in the desert (Isaiah 55:10-11). When that gospel creates faith in him and we commit to his way of living and being, we have more life, more joy, more peace. And we have a purpose—one that includes sharing this good news with others.
The gospel changes each soul, and the gospel changes the world.
The hymn should be performed at a warm♩= ca. 100.
Text
1. Follow, follow me, he says—
my Savior at the sea.
Leave behind your boat and net
and walk along with me.
Lean in close and listen well:
my words are like the rain,
watering your thirsty heart,
reviving you again.
2. Follow, follow me, he says.
My way is fresh and new.
My command is simply this:
to love as I love you.
Turn away from selfishness
and all that causes pain.
Turn to me and start again,
forgiven in my name.
3. Follow, follow me, he says.
I come to offer more:
more of life and peace and joy,
more purpose than before.
You and I will fish for souls.
The power’s in my Word.
I have news that’s truly good,
and it will change the world.
© 2018 Laurie F. Gauger
Lectionary Reading
Year B, Third Sunday after the Epiphany: Mark 1:14–20
Jesus Announces the Good News
After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”
Jesus Calls His First Disciples
As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him.
When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.
Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com. The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™
