On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry

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.