Jesus Christ Our Lord Most Holy
Jesus Christ our Lord most holy
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
- 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
Themes
Christ's passion and death Atonement Redemption through Christ's suffering Penitence and faith Resurrection hope