Invited, Lord, by Boundless Grace
Invited, Lord, by boundless grace
Invited, Lord, by Boundless Grace is a hymn text by Unknown (1800) in C.M. meter. Found in tlh 308. Sung to JESUS LOVES ME.
The hymn emphasizes the Lutheran understanding of Holy Communion as a gracious invitation from God, centering on Christ's institution and remembrance. It reflects the evangelical character of Lutheran sacramentalism, presenting the Lord's Supper as a means of grace.
History & Background
This hymn appears in The Lutheran Hymnal (1941) as hymn 308, reflecting 19th-century English hymn traditions. The exact author and original publication details remain obscure in standard hymnological references.
Hymnal Appearances
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 308
Bulletin Note
An 1800 hymn of unknown authorship reflecting Lutheran sacramental theology. Sung to 'Amazing Grace,' it proclaims the Lord's Supper as a gracious divine invitation extending mercy to the unworthy—Gospel made visible at the altar.
Preaching Connection
This hymn embodies the Lutheran evangelical understanding of the Lord's Supper as pure Gospel: unmerited divine invitation that moves the hearer from awareness of sin and unworthiness to joyful, confident participation in Christ's grace.
Catechism & Confessional Connections
- The Definition & Command of Communion Small Catechism — Holy Communion
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Law-Gospel movement: human righteousness exposed as insufficient (stanzas 1-2), Christ's alien righteousness imputed and clothing the believer (stanzas 3-4), concluding in faith-alone boasting
Overview
A post-Communion hymn by Emanuel Cronenwett, an Ohio Synod pastor who worked with Loy on the 1880 hymnal. I stand as a guest invited by grace; the Host serves no common food but his body and blood (st. 1); this holy Sacrament gives pardon, peace and life (st. 2); 'Now lettest Thou Thy guest depart' — the Nunc Dimittis — with full assurance, and a new life as my offering (st. 3); at his coming, may I be his heavenly guest (st. 4).
Central theme: The communicant as Christ's guest, receiving his body and blood, departing in peace, and looking to the heavenly feast
Structure
Four long-meter quatrains. Invitation (1) — the gift (2) — departure in peace (3) — the heavenly feast (4).
Law & Gospel Shape
Gospel: 'boundless grace'; 'pardon, peace, and life'; 'full assurance.'
Confessional Connections
1 Cor 11:26 (TLH's text): 'you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.' St. 1: 'Here is Thy body and Thy blood' — AC X. St. 2: 'pardon, peace, and life' — SC: 'forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation are given us through these words.' St. 3 alludes to the Nunc Dimittis, sung after Communion in the Common Service. 'A new life may my offering be' — the sacrifice of thanksgiving, not of propitiation (Ap XXIV.19-25; Rom 12:1). St. 4: the Supper as foretaste of the feast to come (Matt 26:29).
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
Lord's Supper (post-Communion); Maundy Thursday.
Historical Notes
Cronenwett (1841-1931), Ohio Synod pastor at Butler, Pennsylvania, wrote several hymns for the 1880 Ohio hymnal.
About the Tune
DAS WALT' GOTT VATER (Daniel Vetter, 1713).
Scripture References
1 Cor 11:26 Luke 14:16-17 Matt 26:26-28 Rev 3:20 Luke 2:29-32 Rom 12:1 Rom 6:4 1 Thess 4:16-17 Matt 8:11 Rev 19:9
Stanza by Stanza
Invited by boundless grace, Lord, I stand as a guest before your face; as Host you spread no ordinary food: here is your body and your blood.
'Come, for everything is now ready' (Luke 14:17). 'I will come in to him and eat with him' (Rev 3:20). 'This is my body… my blood' (Matt 26:26-28).
- Scripture
- Luke 14:16-17, Rev 3:20, Matt 26:26-28
- Imagery & language
- Invited; guest; Host; body and blood.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — the Host's gift.
- Connection to previous
- The guest.
How holy is this Sacrament, where pardon, peace and life are given out! My lips have touched this bread and cup; you blessed it, and my soul is blessed.
SC: 'forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation.' Oral eating of Christ's body (FC VII.63, manducatio oralis). 'The cup of blessing that we bless' (1 Cor 10:16).
- Scripture
- 1 Cor 10:16, Matt 26:28
- Imagery & language
- Holy Sacrament; pardon, peace, life; lips.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — forgiveness received.
- Connection to previous
- Pardon, peace, life.
Now you let your guest leave with full assurance in his heart. For such fellowship with you, Lord, may a new life be my offering.
'Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace… for my eyes have seen your salvation' (Luke 2:29-30). 'Present your bodies as a living sacrifice' (Rom 12:1). Ap XXIV: eucharistic sacrifice of thanksgiving.
- Scripture
- Luke 2:29-32, Rom 12:1, Rom 6:4
- Imagery & language
- Depart; full assurance; new life as offering.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — assurance; new obedience.
- Connection to previous
- Depart in peace.
When you come in your glory to gather all your people home, let me, as your heavenly guest, praise you in songs with the blessed.
'The Lord himself will descend… we will always be with the Lord' (1 Thess 4:16-17). 'Many will come… and recline at table' (Matt 8:11). 'The marriage supper of the Lamb' (Rev 19:9).
- Scripture
- 1 Thess 4:16-17, Matt 8:11, Rev 19:9
- Imagery & language
- Glory; gathered home; heavenly guest.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — the eternal feast.
- Connection to previous
- Heavenly guest.
Themes
God's grace Eucharistic invitation Christian worship Remembrance of Christ