Lord Jesus Christ Thou hast Prepared

Lord Jesus Christ Thou hast Prepared is a hymn text by Johann Funck (1642) in L.M. (8.8.8.8) meter. Translated by composite English translation. Found in CW21 667, CW93 312, elw 205, lbw 208.

This hymn emphasizes Christ's instituted sacrament as memorial of His atoning sacrifice, reflecting Lutheran sacramental theology that honors Christ's real presence and redemptive work. The text echoes 1 Corinthians 11:26, affirming the proclamatory and commemorative character of the Eucharist in Lutheran practice.

History & Background

Originally composed in German as a eucharistic hymn by Johann Funck in his 1642 hymnal. The text was translated into English and adopted by Lutheran hymnals in the nineteenth century for communion celebrations.

Hymnal Appearances

• Christian Worship: Hymnal — 667
• Christian Worship — 312
• Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 205
• Lutheran Book of Worship — 208
• Lutheran Service Book — 622
• Lutheran Worship — 246
• The Lutheran Hymnal — 306

Translation

composite English translation

Bulletin Note

Johann Funck (1642) composed this hymn in the Lutheran sacramental tradition, emphasizing Christ's real presence and the Eucharist as both memorial of sacrifice and proclamation of grace—echoing the apostolic witness of 1 Corinthians 11:26.

Preaching Connection

This hymn deepens Lutheran sacramental theology by binding Christ's historical sacrifice (Law's demand met) to His sacramental presence today (Gospel's comfort given), inviting preachers to show how the Eucharist both recalls redemption and imparts it.

Catechism & Confessional Connections

• The Second Article (Concerning Redemption) Small Catechism — The Apostles' Creed
• The Definition & Command of Communion Small Catechism — Holy Communion
• Of Lord’s Supper Augsburg Confession

Background Research

Samuel Kinner (c. 1603–1668), born in Breslau, an M.D. who practised there, then became councillor and court physician to the Duke of Liegnitz-Brieg; he died at Brieg on 10 August 1668 (Silesia Togata, 1706). A physician writing a Communion hymn is an apt pairing, since the Supper is called the 'medicine of immortality' (Ignatius; from memory, not in the source). 'Herr Jesu Christ, du hast bereit't' first appeared in Jeremias Weber's Gesang-Buch (Leipzig, 1638) as 'A beautiful hymn on the Supper of the Lord', eight 7-line stanzas. Burg's Breslau hymnal (1746) headed it 'For worthy reception, before Holy Communion'. It confesses the real presence and the right preparation of faith, a good text for the analysis of Lutheran Supper theology (SC on worthy reception). Emanuel Cronenwett (1841–1931), Ohio Synod pastor, made the English (1880).

Sources: hymnary.org 'Herr Jesu Christ, du hast bereit't' (citing Julian).

In the Church Year

Suggested in the one-year series

• Trinity 2 (7×)
• Lent 4 (3×)
• Easter 7 (2×)
• Trinity 22 (2×)
• Advent 4 (1×)
• Maundy Thursday (1×)
• Septuagesima (1×)
• St. Mary, Mother of Our Lord (1×)
• Trinity 17 (1×)
• Trinity 20 (1×)
• Trinity 7 (1×)

Suggested in the three-year series

• Easter 5 (1×)
• Proper 9 (1×)

From LCMS Worship's published hymn suggestions, 2014–2026. The count is how many of those yearly lists suggested this hymn for that day.

Overview

A confessional Communion hymn by Samuel Kinner, a Silesian physician, translated by Emanuel Cronenwett of the Ohio Synod. More than any other hymn in TLH, it teaches the Lutheran doctrine of the Real Presence against the Reformed objection that Christ's body, being in heaven, cannot be present in the Supper. It names the feast of Christ's body and blood (st. 1); acknowledges his ascension to glory (st. 2) but insists he is not 'confined' and is present with his congregation (st. 3); believes his Word that his true body and blood are received with the lips (st. 4); confesses that his body is present 'at once in many places,' though reason cannot grasp it (st. 5); asks for faith against doubt (st. 6) and for worthy reception (st. 7); and praises God for the Supper, praying that it be preserved (st. 8).

Central theme: The true body and blood of the ascended Christ present in the Supper on the strength of his almighty Word

Structure

Eight seven-line stanzas (8.7.8.7.8.8.7). The feast (1) — ascension (2) — not confined (3) — Word believed (4) — reason and faith (5) — prayer against doubt (6) — worthy reception (7) — praise and preservation (8). St. 2-3 form one sentence ('Although… Yet').

Law & Gospel Shape

Gospel: the feast 'for our salvation,' pardon, comfort (1, 6, 8). The prayer for contrition and holy living (7) addresses worthy reception.

Confessional Connections

FC VII and VIII: the body and blood are truly present, given and received orally (with the mouth) by all who eat, based on Christ's words of institution, and the right hand of God is not a place but God's almighty power (FC SD VII.94-103, quoting Luther's modes of presence). St. 3 'not confined' answers the Reformed (Zwinglian/Calvinist) localization of Christ's body in heaven. St. 5 'at once in many places' reflects Luther's teaching that Christ can be present wherever he wills; the Confessions ground the Real Presence first on the Word ('Thy word alone sufficeth').

Liturgical Use (Study Notes)

Holy Communion; Maundy Thursday; Corpus Christi-season teaching; confirmation instruction.

Historical Notes

Kinner (1603-1668), physician in Breslau. Cronenwett (1841-1931), Ohio Synod pastor, translated it in 1880. The hymn reflects the 17th-century Lutheran-Reformed controversy over the Supper.

About the Tune

HERR JESU CHRIST, DU HAST BEREIT (Peter Sohren, 1668); row 931 uses DU LEBENSBROT, HERR JESU CHRIST.

Scripture References

Matt 26:26-28 1 Cor 11:23-26 Matt 11:28 Acts 1:9-11 Eph 1:20-23 Eph 4:10 Matt 28:20 Matt 18:20 Luke 1:37 1 Cor 10:16 John 6:68 Mark 9:24 Ps 103:14 1 Cor 11:27-29 Rom 6:4 Phil 4:7

Stanza by Stanza

Themes

Sacramental theology Eucharist Christ's passion and atonement Memorial of Christ's death Table fellowship

Look Further

• Search Hymnary.org for "Lord Jesus Christ Thou hast Prepared" ↗