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.”
Fasting alone in the desert,
Tell of the days that are 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.[Chorus]
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.[Chorus]
Chorus:
Tell me the story of Jesus,
Write on my heart every word;
Tell me the story most precious,
Sweetest that ever was heard.
Fanny Crosby, 1880
Read Matthew 4:1-12
(When telling the story of Jesus, His birth and death are obvious starting and stopping points. But the hymnwriter makes a surprising choice by focusing on Christ’s fasting and temptation in the middle verse. No mention of the miracles, of the teaching or encounters with the people along the way. Perhaps she is drawing attention to the tremendous toll redeeming us took on Jesus through His whole ministry. And yet He willingly walked through every moment.)
Read more: We’ve a Story to Tell