Softly and Tenderly Jesus Is Calling

Songbook Hymn Sermons

Softly and Tenderly Jesus Is Calling

Hymn written by Will L. Thompson

Introduction:

This beloved hymn captures the heart of Christ’s invitation: gentle, compassionate, and urgent. It is not a command shouted in wrath, but a plea offered in love. Jesus is waiting—not to punish, but to forgive. The door of mercy stands open for all who will come before it closes forever.

**Stanza 1: “Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling,

Calling for you and for me; See, on the portals He’s waiting and watching, Watching for you and for me.”**

Jesus does not drive sinners to repentance with anger—He calls softly and tenderly. His voice is loving, not condemning. He waits, just as the father of the prodigal son did (Luke 15:20), watching the horizon for the first sign of return. 2 Peter 3:9 reminds us that the Lord is longsuffering, “not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” The image of Jesus standing at the door, waiting, is deeply personal. He is not distant; He is near—watching, pleading, longing.

**Chorus: “Come home, come home;

Ye who are weary, come home; Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling, Calling, ‘O sinner, come home!’”**

The chorus is a soul-stirring appeal. It does not merely suggest—it pleads. Christ’s call is directed at the weary soul. Matthew 11:28 confirms this: “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Jesus is not calling the righteous, but sinners (Luke 5:32). He yearns for their return. The repeated phrase “come home” invites us to restoration, forgiveness, and communion with God. It reminds us that no matter how far we’ve strayed, home is still open.

**Stanza 2: “Why should we tarry when Jesus is pleading,

Pleading for you and for me? Why should we linger and heed not His mercies, Mercies for you and for me?”**

This stanza addresses the danger of delay. Jesus is not just calling—He is pleading. Yet people often hesitate, waiting for a more “convenient time” like Felix in Acts 24:25. But time is not guaranteed. Proverbs 27:1 warns, “Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.” Why reject mercy when it is so freely offered? God’s mercy is available now—why linger in sin when forgiveness awaits?

**Stanza 3: “Time is now fleeting, the moments are passing,

Passing from you and from me; Shadows are gathering, deathbeds are coming, Coming for you and for me.”**

This sobering verse reminds us of life’s brevity. James 4:14 says, “For what is your life? It is even a vapor…” The shadows of death grow longer with each moment. The day of opportunity is not endless. Hebrews 9:27 declares, “It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” The call of Jesus is not just an emotional appeal—it is eternal reality. The time to respond is now, not later.

**Stanza 4: “Oh! for the wonderful love He has promised,

Promised for you and for me; Though we have sinned, He has mercy and pardon, Pardon for you and for me.”**

The final stanza closes with grace. No matter what we’ve done, Jesus offers mercy. Romans 5:8 assures us, “But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” God’s love is not based on our worthiness—it is based on His nature. His promise is sure. He extends pardon, not just to the righteous, but to the repentant sinner. What love! What a Savior!

Softly and Tenderly Sermon Outline:

• Introduction:
• Jesus calls sinners gently and earnestly.
• The hymn reflects Christ’s invitation in tone and truth.

• I. Stanza 1 – A Gentle Call and a Waiting Savior
• Luke 15:20 – The Father watches for the lost son.
• 2 Peter 3:9 – God is longsuffering and patient.

• II. Chorus – The Plea to Come Home
• Matthew 11:28 – Jesus offers rest to the weary.
• Luke 5:32 – Christ calls sinners to repentance.

• III. Stanza 2 – The Folly of Delay
• Acts 24:25 – Felix delays and misses his opportunity.
• Proverbs 27:1 – We don’t know what tomorrow brings.

• IV. Stanza 3 – The Urgency of Life and Death
• James 4:14 – Life is a vapor.
• Hebrews 9:27 – Judgment follows death.

• V. Stanza 4 – The Assurance of Forgiveness
• Romans 5:8 – Christ died for us while we were sinners.
• God’s mercy is available now for the penitent.

• Conclusion:
• Jesus is calling—softly, tenderly, lovingly, but urgently.
• Don’t ignore Him. Come home while the door is still open.

Call to Action:

Jesus is still calling. Are you listening? If you are weary, burdened, or lost, don’t delay. Come home today. Hear, believe, repent, confess, and be baptized (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38). If you’re already in Christ but drifting—He still waits. Don’t let shadows overtake your soul. “O sinner, come home.”

Scripture Reference List:

• Luke 15:20 – The father watches for the returning son.
• 2 Peter 3:9 – God is patient, not willing that any perish.
• Matthew 11:28 – Jesus invites the weary to rest.
• Luke 5:32 – Jesus calls sinners to repentance.
• Acts 24:25 – Felix delays his response to the gospel.
• Proverbs 27:1 – Don’t boast about tomorrow.
• James 4:14 – Life is a vapor.
• Hebrews 9:27 – After death comes judgment.
• Romans 5:8 – Christ died for sinners.

Song History:

Will Lamartine Thompson (1847–1909), a faithful member of the churches of Christ, wrote “Softly and Tenderly” in 1880. It quickly became one of the most well-known American invitation hymns. Thompson was known for his heartfelt, gospel-centered lyrics. It’s said he visited Dwight L. Moody on his deathbed, where the evangelist reportedly said, “Will, I would rather have written ‘Softly and Tenderly’ than anything I have been able to do in my whole life.” The hymn’s gentle tone and biblical appeal have made it a favorite in gospel meetings, worship assemblies, and funerals for over a century.

Softly and Tenderly Jesus Is Calling

By Will L. Thompson (1847–1909) Public Domain

1. Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling,  Calling for you and for me; See, on the portals He’s waiting and watching,  Watching for you and for me.

Chorus: Come home, come home, Ye who are weary, come home; Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling, Calling, “O sinner, come home!”

1. Why should we tarry when Jesus is pleading,  Pleading for you and for me? Why should we linger and heed not His mercies,  Mercies for you and for me?

(Repeat Chorus)

1. Time is now fleeting, the moments are passing,  Passing from you and from me; Shadows are gathering, deathbeds are coming,  Coming for you and for me.

(Repeat Chorus)

1. Oh! for the wonderful love He has promised,  Promised for you and for me; Though we have sinned, He has mercy and pardon,  Pardon for you and for me.

(Repeat Chorus)

Prepared by David Hersey of the church of Christ at Granby, MO

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