Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus

Rev. Andrew Jagow, pastor at Bethany Lutheran Church in Alexandria, VA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Lutheran Service Book #338, “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus.”

This hymn from Charles Wesley teaches us to pray in expectation for our Lord to come. Although waiting is not a favorite pastime for most people, it is an essential discipline for Christians so that we would expect and prepare for Christ’s return. The One we are longing to come is Jesus, who sets us free from the worst enemies and gives us true freedom and rest in Himself. Jesus comes with both might and comfort for all people. As He has brought God’s kingdom in His birth, life, death, and resurrection, so we pray that Jesus would now bring His kingdom to us and reign over us. His Spirit gives us faith to trust in Him so that all idols are displaced from the throne of our hearts. There, Christ alone must reign. By all that He has done, He raises us to eternal life with Him.

“The Hymns of Advent'' is a series on Sharper Iron that looks at a variety of the hymns found in the Advent section Lutheran Service Book. The season of Advent prepares us for Christ’s coming. The hymns of Advent teach that this is more than getting ready for Christmas; the Word of the Lord sung in hymnody helps us to receive Christ as He comes to us now in the means of grace and when He comes again in glory on the Last Day.