Jesus Christ Our Lord Most Holy
Jesus Christ our Lord most holy
Jesus Christ Our Lord Most Holy is a hymn text by Martin Behm (1610) in 8.8.8.8 meter. Translated by Martin H. Behm, English adaptation. Found in ELH 285, tlh 169. Sung to PASSION CHORALE.
The hymn embodies Lutheran soteriology, emphasizing Christ's vicarious suffering and the objective atonement accomplished through His passion. It reflects the Reformation conviction that salvation comes through faith in Christ's substitutionary death, not through human merit or works.
History & Background
This German chorale originates from the early 17th-century Lutheran tradition, reflecting deep Reformation piety regarding Christ's atonement. It appears in The Lutheran Hymnal (1941) as a translation preserving the theological emphases of German passion chorales.
Hymnal Appearances
- Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary — 285
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 169
Translation
Martin H. Behm, English adaptation
Bulletin Note
Composed by Martin Behm in 1610, this hymn distills Lutheran soteriology: Christ's objective atonement accomplishes what human works cannot. The cross alone pays the price of sin and death.
Preaching Connection
This hymn eloquently proclaims that Christ's vicarious suffering satisfies God's justice entirely, transforming the Law's condemnation into Gospel proclamation of forgiveness—a theme that deepens any sermon on Christ's atoning work.
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Christological meditation moving from Christ's suffering, to personal appropriation of redemption, to grateful response, to covenantal commitment
Overview
A Czech/Slovak Lutheran Good Friday hymn from the Tranoscius tradition, translated for TLH by John Bajus of the Slovak Synod. With doubled words that mark the folk-hymn style ('Blameless, blameless… Sinless, sinless'), it narrates the crucifixion: the pure Lamb offered (st. 1), creation mourning as Jesus dies (st. 2), the last word, bowed head and weeping mother (st. 3), the torn veil, earthquake, split rocks and raised saints (st. 4), and the pierced side pouring blood and water, ending in the plea for mercy (st. 5).
Central theme: The death of the sinless Lamb narrated through the Gospel signs of Good Friday, closing in a plea for mercy
Structure
Five four-line stanzas (8.8.10.10) with doubled words in lines 3-4. Offering (1) — mourning (2) — death (3) — signs (4) — blood and water (5).
Law & Gospel Shape
Law: creation's grief at sin's cost (2). Gospel: 'Sinless, for our sins hast suffered'; blood and water; 'sinners' only Savior' (1, 5).
Confessional Connections
Matt 27:50-53 (TLH's text). 'Sinless, for our sins hast suffered' — vicarious atonement (2 Cor 5:21; AC III). St. 4: the torn veil opens access to God (Heb 10:19-20); the raised saints are a first sign of Christ's victory over death. St. 5: blood and water from the side — the Church Fathers and Luther saw here the Sacraments of Baptism and the Supper flowing from Christ's death (1 John 5:6-8). 'Sinners' only Savior' (Acts 4:12; solus Christus).
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
Good Friday; Holy Week.
Historical Notes
Attributed to Michal Grodzki (c. 1550). The hymn passed into the Slovak Lutheran Cithara Sanctorum (Tranoscius, 1636) tradition; Bajus (1901-1971) translated it for TLH in 1939.
About the Tune
TESHINIENS (Polish melody, c. 1500).
Scripture References
Matt 27:50-53 1 Pet 1:19 1 Pet 2:22-24 Luke 23:27-28 Luke 23:44-45 John 19:30 John 19:25-27 Luke 23:49 Heb 10:19-20 John 19:34 1 John 5:6-8 Acts 4:12
Stanza by Stanza
Jesus Christ, our most holy Lord, pure and lowly Lamb of God, you are offered blameless on the cross; sinless, you have suffered for our sins.
'A lamb without blemish or spot' (1 Pet 1:19). 'He committed no sin… He himself bore our sins' (1 Pet 2:22-24).
- Scripture
- 1 Pet 1:19, 1 Pet 2:22-24, 2 Cor 5:21
- Imagery & language
- Lamb; blameless; sinless.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — substitution.
- Connection to previous
- The Lamb offered.
Weep now, all you miserable creatures, as you see his gracious face. Jesus is dying on the cross; all nature sighs in dark gloom.
The women who mourned (Luke 23:27-28). 'There was darkness over the whole land' (Luke 23:44-45). Creation groans (Rom 8:22).
- Scripture
- Luke 23:27-28, Luke 23:44-45, Rom 8:22
- Imagery & language
- Weeping creatures; nature in gloom.
- Law / Gospel
- Law — the cost of sin.
- Connection to previous
- Mourning.
Christ, having spoken his last word, bows his head as his life ends. His mother stands weeping; his loved ones keep silent watch.
'It is finished… he bowed his head and gave up his spirit' (John 19:30). Mary at the cross (John 19:25-27); 'all his acquaintances… stood at a distance watching' (Luke 23:49).
- Scripture
- John 19:30, John 19:25-27, Luke 23:49, Luke 2:35
- Imagery & language
- Last word; bowed head; mother weeping.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — 'It is finished.'
- Connection to previous
- He dies.
The great veil was torn in two; the earth quaked amid roaring thunder; boulders broke into pieces; holy ones who had died awoke from death.
Matt 27:51-53 (TLH's text). The torn veil: 'a new and living way… through the curtain, that is, through his flesh' (Heb 10:19-20).
- Scripture
- Matt 27:51-53, Heb 10:19-20
- Imagery & language
- Veil torn; earthquake; saints raised.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — access and resurrection signs.
- Connection to previous
- The signs.
When his side was pierced with the spear, blood and water flowed out. Jesus, sinners' only Savior, grant us mercy forever.
'One of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water' (John 19:34). 'This is he who came by water and blood' (1 John 5:6) — classically read of Baptism and the Supper. 'No other name' (Acts 4:12).
- Scripture
- John 19:34, 1 John 5:6-8, Acts 4:12
- Imagery & language
- Spear; blood and water; mercy.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — the Sacraments from the side; mercy.
- Connection to previous
- Blood and water.
Themes
Christ's passion and death Atonement Redemption through Christ's suffering Penitence and faith Resurrection hope