To Jordan Came the Christ, Our Lord
To Jordan came the Christ, our Lord
This hymn celebrates the Baptism of Christ as the sanctification of water for Christian baptism, connecting Old Testament foreshadowing to New Testament fulfillment. It reflects Lutheran sacramental theology, emphasizing baptism as God's means of grace and the Christian's death to sin and resurrection to new life.
History & Background
Martin Luther wrote this hymn in 1541 based on the Gospel account of Christ's baptism. The German original 'Christ unser Herr zum Jordan kam' was published in Lutheran hymnals and became a standard hymn for Baptism and Epiphany seasons.
Hymnal Appearances
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 305
- Lutheran Book of Worship — 79
- Lutheran Service Book — 406-407
- Lift Up Your Hearts — 74
- Lutheran Worship — 223
- Voices Together — 193
Translation
Bulletin Note
Martin Luther, 1541. This Reformation hymn connects Christ's baptism to every Christian's baptism, anchoring the sacrament in Christ's redemptive obedience and reflecting the theology of Luther's catechetical teaching.
Preaching Connection
This hymn crystallizes the Gospel's power: Christ's voluntary descent into water answers our sinful condition by sanctifying baptism as the place where we die and rise with Him.
Catechism & Confessional Connections
- Of Original Sin Augsburg Confession
Themes
Baptism of Christ Sanctification and washing Obedience of Christ Christian baptism prefigured