SINNERS Jesus will receive—
Say this word of grace to all
Who the heavenly pathway leave,
All who linger, all who fall!—
This can bring them back again,
Christ receiveth sinful men.
Shepherds seek their wandering sheep
O'er the mountains bleak and cold—
Jesus such a watch Both keep
O'er the lost ones of His fold—
Seeking them o'er moor and fen;
Christ receiveth sinful men.
Come, and He will give you rest;
Sorrow stricken, sin defiled—
He can make the sinfullest
God the Father's blessed child;
Trust Him, for His word is plain,
Christ receiveth sinful men.
Sick, and sorrowful, and blind,
I with all my sins draw nigh;
O my Savior, Thou canst find
Help for sinners such as I.
Speak that word of love again,
Christ receiveth sinful men.
Yea, my soul is comforted,
For Thy Blood hath washed away
All my sins though crimson red,
And I stand in white array—
Purged from every spot and stain—
Christ receiveth sinful men.
Now my heart condemns me not,
Pure before the Law I stand;
He who cleansed me from all spot
Satisfied its last demand;
Who shall dare accuse me then?
Christ receiveth sinful men.
Christ receiveth sinful men—
Even me with all my sin;
Openeth to me Heaven again,
With Him I may enter in.
Death hath no more sting nor pain,
Christ receiveth sinful men.
E. Neumeister, † 1756.