JESUS CHRIST >> Life & Ministry
SDAH 152
Tell me the story of Jesus,
Write on my heart every word.
Tell me the story most precious,
Sweetest that ever was heard.
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For Worship Leaders
Make each hymn more meaningful with these helpful tools: Short, ready-to-use hymn introductions for church bulletins, multiple ways to introduce a hymn based on your worship theme and in-depth history and insights to enrich your song service.
Hymn Spotlight: Tell Me the Story of Jesus
Fanny Crosby wrote this beloved hymn to help us treasure the full arc of Christ’s life—from His birth and temptation to His death and resurrection. Its simplicity invites young and old alike to dwell on the greatest story ever told. Like Luke 24:27, where Jesus explains “beginning at Moses and all the prophets” the things concerning Himself, this hymn unfolds the gospel in song. Let us never tire of hearing—and telling—the story of Jesus, written on every page of Scripture.
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Introductions for Sabbath School Song Service (based on specific lesson quarterlies):
We are reminded that there is much to learn from the Master Teacher, Jesus. We learn from the messages that He shares during His earthly ministry. We learn from the miracles that He performs and the way that He acts toward others. (Lesson 5, 4th Quarter – Tuesday, Reading the Master Teacher’s Mind, 10/27/2020)
While we have no choice but to go through the suffering of this world, Jesus did. He could have chosen to stay in heaven as its King, adored by all intelligent beings. But He chose to be a man to suffer with us and die to deliver us from all suffering. (Lesson 7, 1st Quarter 2023, Managing for the Master – Sunday, “The Life and Ministry of Jesus” 2/22/23)
Frances Jane Crosby (1820-1915; see Biographies) wrote this simple summary of the Saviour’s earthly life, covering His birth, His temptation, His ministry, His crucifixion, and His resurrection. The whole is effectively summed up in the Lord\’s own words: “Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many” (Matt. 20:28).
The tune, unnamed, was composed by John Robson Sweney (1837-1899 see Biographies), and was copyrighted in 1880, being printed that year in The Quiver of Sacred Song, Philadelphia.
Stanza:
1 – Luke 2:13, 14
2 – Luke 4:1, 2
Isaiah 53:3
Luke 9:58
3 – Luke 23:33, 53
Luke 24:6
Text
1
Tell me the story of Jesus,
Write on my heart every word.
Tell me the story most precious,
Sweetest that ever was heard.
Tell how the angels in chorus,
Sang as they welcomed His birth.
“Glory to God in the highest!
Peace and good tidings to earth.”
Refrain
Tell me the story of Jesus,
Write on my heart every word.
Tell me the story most precious,
Sweetest that ever was heard.
2
Fasting alone in the desert,
Tell of the days that He past.
How for our sins He was tempted,
Yet was triumphant at last.
Tell of the years of His labor,
Tell of the sorrow He bore.
He was despised and afflicted,
Homeless, rejected and poor.
3
Tell of the cross where they nailed Him,
Writhing in anguish and pain.
Tell of the grave where they laid Him,
Tell how He liveth again.
Love in that story so tender,
Clearer than ever I see.
Stay, let me weep while you whisper,
Love paid the ransom for me.
Hymn Info
Biblical Reference
(a) Luke 2:13, 14 (b) Luke 4:1, 2; Isa 53:3; Luke 9:58 (c) Luke 23: 33, 53; 24:6
Author
Fanny J. Crosby (1820-1915)
Metrical Number
8.7.8.7.D.Ref.
Composer
John R. Sweney (1837-1899)
