Jesus Thy Church with Longing Eyes
Jesus, thy church with longing eyes
This hymn reflects Lutheran eschatological hope centered on Christ's bodily return and the Church's expectation of eternal fellowship with him. It emphasizes the active longing of the Church militant for the completion of God's kingdom and the vindication of faith.
History & Background
Written by American hymn poet Samuel Francis Smith in 1861, this hymn expresses the Church's longing for Christ's return as described in Revelation 1:7. It was first published in Smith's hymnal collections and became widely adopted in Lutheran hymnals, particularly the Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary (TLH 64).
Hymnal Appearances
- Lutheran Worship — 303
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 64
Bulletin Note
Written by Samuel Francis Smith in 1861, this hymn expresses Lutheran eschatological hope—the Church militant's longing for Christ's bodily return and the vindication of faith in perfect fellowship with the risen Lord.
Preaching Connection
This hymn gives voice to the Church's eschatological tension between the 'already' of Christ's redemptive work and the 'not yet' of his return, embodying how Law calls us to vigilance while Gospel sustains us with the promise of eternal communion.
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Law (human longing and sin-awareness) → Gospel (Christ's deliverance and reign) → Sanctification (Spirit's rule in believers' hearts)
Themes
Christ's return Church anticipation Eschatology Second Coming Hope