Sharper Iron — The Hymns of Advent: On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry

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Rev. Philip Hoppe, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Colby, KS, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Lutheran Service Book #344, “On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry.”

Charles Coffin’s hymn text puts before us the familiar Advent preacher, John the Baptist. His sermon is simple: “Christ is here!” All must wake up and listen not only to John, but to every Christian preacher who proclaims this good news. By this proclamation, God calls us to repentance from our sin in preparation for faith in Christ. He is our Savior, our refuge, and our eternal reward without whom we only die. Therefore, we pray for His healing both now and ultimately in the resurrection of the dead. Because Christ has come to set us free from sin and death, we praise the Triune God forever.

“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.

Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God’s Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen.

Sharper Iron is underwritten by Lutheran Church Extension Fund, where your investments help support the work of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Visit lcef.org.

Lutheran Service Book 344

1 On Jordan’s bank the Baptist’s cry
Announces that the Lord is nigh;
Awake and hearken, for he brings
Glad tidings of the King of kings!

2 Then cleansed be ev’ry life from sin;
Make straight the way for God within,
And let us all our hearts prepare
For Christ to come and enter there.

3 We hail Thee as our Savior, Lord,
Our refuge and our great reward;
Without Thy grace we waste away
Like flow’rs that wither and decay.

4 Lay on the sick Thy healing hand
And make the fallen strong to stand;
Show us the glory of Thy face
Till beauty springs in ev’ry place.

5 All praise, eternal Son, to Thee
Whose advent sets Thy people free.
Whom with the Father we adore
And Holy Spirit evermore.

Text: On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry
Alterer: Charles Coffin, 1676-1749
Tune: PUER NOBIS
Adapter: Michael Praetorius, 1571-1621
Arranger: George R. Woodward, 1848-1934