mgpcpastor's blog

Confession time.
If, like me, you were in church during the 1980s you probably sang ‘Shine Jesus Shine’ by Graham Kendrick. Conservative churches dabbling in newer song and choruses used it a lot. A real lot. I don’t know why. Maybe because it looked like a real song with verses and a chorus. Maybe because it didn’t repeat itself over and over. We just sang it a lot.
I overdosed on ‘Shine Jesus Shine’. These days if I sing it about once a year, that’s just about enough. It’s October and I haven’t used it yet. Maybe I’ll use it twice next year. Maybe.
The real shame about that overdose is that I ignored Graham Kendrick for a few years. It was a revelation to encounter his thoughtful and Christ-centered lyrics in ‘Amazing Love’, ‘The Price is Paid’, and then, ‘The Servant King’.
Doctrinal affirmation, response and practical application all in one song. Some will quibble over the theological precision of some of the lyrics. I think such claims don’t understand poetic metaphor enough. (Google it, there’s probably whole sites dedicated to pointing out errors in songs.)
The tune is quite melodic, the verse/chorus structure helps singing. It needs to be reasonably paced so it doesn’t drag on, but still requires reflective expression.
1.
From Heaven You came,
Helpless babe,
Entered our world,
Your glory veiled;
Not to be served
But to serve,
And give Your life
That we might live.
Chorus:
This is our God,
The Servant King,
He calls us now
To follow Him,
To bring our lives
As a daily offering
Of worship to
The Servant King.
2.
There in the garden
Of tears,
My heavy load
He chose to bear;
His heart with sorrow
Was torn,
‘Yet not My will
But Yours,’ He said.
3.
Come see His hands
And His feet,
The scars that speak
Of sacrifice;
Hands that flung stars
Into space
To cruel nails
Surrendered.
4.
So let us learn
How to serve,
And in our lives
Enthrone Him;
Each other’s needs
To prefer,
For it is Christ
We’re serving.

Graham Kendrick
Copyright © 1983
Lyrics reproduced from the kingswaysongs.com for review purposes.

Youtube features the Maranatha singers.