"Come, Follow Me," the Savior Spake
Come, follow me, the Savior spake
This hymn expresses the Lutheran doctrine of vocation and Christian obedience, wherein believers are called to deny themselves and follow Christ in daily discipleship. It reflects the Reformation emphasis on radical faith commitment and the transformation of all life's work as service to God.
History & Background
Originally composed in German by Swiss theologian and mystic Johann Kaspar Lavater in 1773, this hymn was translated into English by Henry Giles Stafford in 1889. It has been a staple of Lutheran hymnals for over a century, emphasizing the radical call to discipleship.
Hymnal Appearances
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 717
- Lutheran Book of Worship — 455
- Lutheran Service Book — 688
- Lutheran Worship — 379
- Trinity Hymnal — 394
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 421
Translation
Bulletin Note
Penned by Swiss theologian John Casper Lavater in 1773, this hymn captures the Reformation's insistence that all vocations—work, family, daily labor—are sacred callings when lived in faithful obedience to Christ.
Preaching Connection
This hymn crystallizes the Law's demand for radical self-denial and the Gospel's promise of Christ's companionship and eternal reward, making it a powerful vehicle for preaching both the cost and the grace of Christian discipleship.
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Law to Gospel: human inability to praise adequately (stanzas 1-2) → Christ's redemptive power transforming sinners (stanzas 3-5) → Trinitarian doxology (stanza 6)
Themes
Discipleship Self-denial Cross-bearing Following Christ Christian vocation