"Jesus Calls Us, O’er the Tumult" | Third Sunday after Epiphany

ZACHARY'S NOTES:

Stanza 1 // Our Lord’s call comes not only to disciples in this weekend’s Gospel reading, but “daily” to those burdened by the toils of the world. This means his call is for today! Christ’s word to “follow” sounds over the “wild, restless” sea. This is not simply a reference to those who find their employment in the fishing business, but speaks to Jesus’ call over our daily difficulties.

Stanza 2 // When Christ’s call to follow came to Andrew, Scripture says he “immediately” left his net and followed the Lord. This stanza points out everything disciples leave behind: “home” [family], “toil” [work], and “kindred” [friends], for the sake of God’s call. While we might espouse similar priorities in day-to-day life, those writing hymns know we need to pray these words together as Christian people, that the good news of Christ might have priority over all other things.

Stanza 3 // If we are wondering where “home, toil, and kindred” rank on God’s flow chart of priorities, this stanza calls each of these and all worldly treasures “vain” [or empty] idols - those things which keep us from hearing Christ’s call to follow.

Stanza 4 // The first three stanzas might give us the idea the call of the Christian is one to misery, but this stanza acknowledges the truth of life. We live with “joys, concerns, work, leisure, cares, and pleasures.” Jesus’ word to “follow [or love] me” comes in the midst of these, that we might do the work God gives each day with the love our Savior freely gives.

Stanza 5 // Whether an account of Scripture or today, we hear Christ’s call to follow because Jesus has “mercy!” Stanza-by-stanza, this hymn points out our daily failings to love Christ more than family, friends, work, financial success, and other worldly concerns. The good news in this hymn is found between these often unfulfillable demands. As we struggle and sin daily, Jesus comes with a call to follow each day, forgiving in mercy, that we might be freed to serve and love our Lord.

OTHER SUGGESTIONS:

ELW 696 - Jesus Calls Us; o’er the Tumult - ɢᴀʟɪʟᴇᴇ
ELW 420/421 - By All Your Saints - ᴋᴜᴏʀᴛᴀɴᴇ // ᴋɪɴɢ’ꜱ ʟʏɴɴ
ELW 665 - Rise, Shine, You People! - wᴏᴊᴛᴋɪᴇᴡɪᴇᴄᴢ
ELW 669 - Rise Up, O Saints of God! - ꜰᴇꜱᴛᴀʟ ꜱᴏɴɢ
ELW 685 - Take My Life, That I May Be - ᴘᴀᴛᴍᴏꜱ
ELW 799 - Come, Follow Me, the Savior Spake - ᴍᴀᴄʜꜱ ᴍɪᴛᴛ ᴍɪʀ, ɢᴏᴛᴛ
ELW 825 - You Servants of God - ʟʏᴏɴꜱ
LBW 177/178 - By All Your Saints in Warfare - ᴋɪɴɢ’ꜱ ʟʏɴɴ
LBW 252 - You Servants of God - ʟʏᴏɴꜱ
LBW 383 - Rise Up, O Saints of God! - ꜰᴇꜱᴛᴀʟ ꜱᴏɴɢ
LBW 393 - Rise, Shine, You People! - wᴏᴊᴛᴋɪᴇᴡɪᴇᴄᴢ
LBW 406 - Take My Life, that I May Be - ᴘᴀᴛᴍᴏꜱ
LBW 455 - “Come, Follow Me,” the Savior Spake - ᴍᴀᴄʜꜱ ᴍɪᴛᴛ ᴍɪʀ, ɢᴏᴛᴛ
LBW 494 - Jesus Calls Us; O’er the Tumult - ɢᴀʟɪʟᴇᴇ
LSB 517/518 - By All Your Saints in Warfare - ᴋɪɴɢ’ꜱ ʟʏɴɴ
LSB 688 - “Come, Follow Me,” the Savior Spake - ᴍᴀᴄʜꜱ ᴍɪᴛᴛ ᴍɪʀ, ɢᴏᴛᴛ
LSB 783 - Take My Life, That I May Be - ᴘᴀᴛᴍᴏꜱ // ʜᴇɴᴅᴏɴ
LSB 825 - Rise, Shine, You People! - wᴏᴊᴛᴋɪᴇᴡɪᴇᴄᴢ
RH 184 - Jesus Calls Us; o'er the Tumult - ɢᴀʟɪʟᴇᴇ
RH 233 - Take My Life, That I May Be - ᴘᴀᴛᴍᴏꜱ