Lord Lead the Way the Savior Went
Lord, lead the way the Savior went
Lord Lead the Way the Savior Went is a hymn text by Oswald Allen (1860) in L.M. meter. Found in lw 363, tlh 440. Sung to HURSLEY.
This hymn embodies Lutheran emphasis on sanctification as the Christian's response to grace, calling believers to follow Christ's pattern of humble service. It reflects the Lutheran understanding of the Christian life as one of daily repentance and cross-bearing in imitation of Christ.
History & Background
Written by Oswald Allen in the mid-19th century as a hymn of discipleship emphasizing following Christ's example of self-sacrifice. First published in English hymnals during the Victorian era and included in The Lutheran Hymnal in 1941.
Hymnal Appearances
- Lutheran Worship — 363
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 440
Bulletin Note
Written by Oswald Allen in 1860, this L.M. hymn captures the Victorian-era Lutheran emphasis on sanctification as grateful response to grace—the believer's daily 'yes' to following Christ in humble service.
Preaching Connection
This hymn transforms the Law's demand for self-denial (Matthew 16:24) into a grace-filled response, showing how the Gospel empowers the Christian's imitation of Christ through daily repentance and cross-bearing.
Overview
A hymn on charity to the poor by William Croswell, an American Episcopal priest, written for a society for the relief of the poor. Lead us the way the Savior went, through obscure lanes and cells, spending love on the poor (st. 1); seeking the desolate in their crowded loneliness as he bore the world's weight (st. 2); you have placed us side by side, and the poor are always with us to test your followers (st. 3); our gifts are poor, but given for the Savior's sake they do not lose their reward (st. 4).
Central theme: Following Christ's way of mercy to the poor, whose presence tests and shapes his followers
Structure
Four common-meter quatrains. His way (1) — the desolate (2) — side by side (3) — reward (4).
Law & Gospel Shape
Gospel: Christ who 'bore the world's sad weight'; works of love as fruit; rewards of grace (4).
Confessional Connections
Matt 25:40 (TLH's text): 'as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.' Works of mercy are the fruit of faith, done 'for the Savior's sake' (AC VI, XX; Ap IV.189ff on good works as necessary fruits). St. 4: 'They lose not their reward' (Mark 9:41) — rewards are gracious promises, not merit (Ap IV.194-196, 356-377). St. 1: Christ's own way 'went about doing good' (Acts 10:38) — he is both our Savior and our example (FC IV).
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
Social ministry; offerings for the poor; Twenty-sixth Sunday after Trinity (Matt 25).
Historical Notes
Croswell (1804-1851), Episcopal rector in Boston, wrote it in 1831.
About the Tune
FARRANT (Richard Farrant, c. 1580, adapted from an anthem).
Scripture References
Matt 25:40 Acts 10:38 Luke 4:18 Isa 53:4 Gal 6:2 Mark 14:7 Deut 15:11 1 John 3:17 Mark 9:41 Heb 6:10
Stanza by Stanza
Lord, lead us on the way the Savior went, through obscure lanes and cells, and let love's treasure still be spent, as his was, on the poor.
'He went about doing good' (Acts 10:38). 'He has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor' (Luke 4:18).
- Scripture
- Acts 10:38, Luke 4:18, Matt 25:36
- Imagery & language
- Savior's way; lane and cell; the poor.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — following Christ in love.
- Connection to previous
- His way.
Like him, who bore the world's sad weight through scenes of deep distress, we want to seek out the desolate in their crowded loneliness.
'Surely he has borne our griefs' (Isa 53:4). 'Bear one another's burdens' (Gal 6:2).
- Scripture
- Isa 53:4, Gal 6:2
- Imagery & language
- Deep distress; world's weight; crowded loneliness.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — Christ bore our weight.
- Connection to previous
- The desolate.
For you have placed us side by side in this wide world of trouble; and so that your followers may be tested, the poor are always with us.
'For you always have the poor with you' (Mark 14:7). 'Open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy' (Deut 15:11). 'If anyone… sees his brother in need' (1 John 3:17).
- Scripture
- Mark 14:7, Deut 15:11, 1 John 3:17
- Imagery & language
- Side by side; tried; the poor with us.
- Law / Gospel
- Law — the test of love.
- Connection to previous
- Poor with us.
All the offerings we can make are poor; but you have taught us, Lord, that if they are given for the Savior's sake, they do not lose their reward.
'Whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ will by no means lose his reward' (Mark 9:41). 'God is not unjust so as to overlook your work' (Heb 6:10). Ap IV on rewards.
- Scripture
- Mark 9:41, Heb 6:10
- Imagery & language
- Mean offerings; Savior's sake; reward.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — gracious reward.
- Connection to previous
- Reward.
Themes
Christian discipleship Following Christ Self-denial and sacrifice Service to others Cross-bearing