Week 3 - Come Thou Long Expected Jesus

This hymn was written by Charles Wesley to commemorate the Nativity of Jesus Christ and to prepare us for His second coming. This song is typically sung during the church seasons of Advent and Christmas. The original hymn is only the first two verses; this particular rendition, sung by Meredith Andrews, has an added bridge and repeats part of the first verse at the end. I think Andrews did an excellent job with this hymn; it feels very alive.

“Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus” was the first of a number of Wesley’s hymns that became known as the “Festival hymns”. This hymn spread throughout England and was made popular by Charles Spurgeon in 1855 after he preached on it in a sermon. Spurgeon was illustrating his point that very few are born as a king, yet Jesus was the only one who had been born King of all kings without ever being an earthly prince.

The first verse:

“Come, Thou long expected Jesus. Born to set Thy people free. From our fears and sins release us. Let us find our rest in Thee. Israel's strength and consolation. Hope of all the earth Thou art. Dear desire of every nation. Joy of every longing heart.”

Wesley started this hymn by pointing out that the Messiah, Jesus Christ, had been hopefully expected for a very long time. Just how long? Ever since God promised to send Him in the Garden of Eden after Adam and Eve sinned against God, ushering in sin and death to all creation. It had been about 400 years since the last prophet, Malachi, had spoken words of hope in the coming Messiah. Since, there had only been silence. The Israelites were most definitely anxious to have the long-prophesied Messiah come.

Jesus Christ’s entire purpose and mission on earth was to set us free from our bonds of sin and death, to give us rest in Him, to strengthen and console us. In order for Jesus to do this, He had to die. Yet, God cannot die, so He had to be made human first. His birth was for Him to die for our sins and free us from God’s impending wrath. Jesus did this all for us under His own free will. He is our only hope for eternal life. This Gospel news brings every longing heart great joy that wells up inside us like a spring.

The second verse:

“Born Thy people to deliver. Born a child and yet a King. Born to reign in us forever. Now Thy gracious Kingdom bring. By Thine own eternal Spirit. Rule in all our hearts alone. By Thine all sufficient merit. Raise us to Thy glorious throne.”

As Spurgeon pointed out, it is rare for any man to be born a king, yet Jesus Christ was born King of all kings without even being an earthly prince. (Revelation 17:14). Before His birth, Jesus, God the Son, reigned in heaven along with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit. He has ascended back to His throne in heaven and reigns over all creation still. (Revelation 1:8). Jesus Christ is the only thing we need. (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). The Holy Spirit is our ever-present Helper, set in our hearts, in order to teach us all of what God wants us to understand. (John 14:26). Belief in Jesus and repentance of our sins is what saves us. (Mark 1:15).

The added bridge:

“You draw the hearts of shepherds. You draw the hearts of kings. Even as a baby, You were changing everything. You called me to Your Kingdom. Before Your lips could speak. And even as a baby, You were reaching out for me. And now we are awaiting. The day of Your return. When every eye will see You. As heaven comes to earth. Until the sky is opened. Until the trumpet sounds. The bride is getting ready. The Church is singing out.”

Jesus’ birth was announced to the shepherds tending their flocks; and what a sight that must have been! (Luke 2:8-20). Andrews is completely correct in saying that Jesus changed everything, even as a baby. He made all things new through His birth, His suffering, His death, His resurrection, and His ascension. In the Church season of Advent, we anxiously and patiently wait for Jesus’ second coming. He will make all things new once more when He returns on Judgment Day (Revelation 21:5), as the sky opens, and the trumpet sounds. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). Everyone will see Him and every knee will bow to Him and every tongue will confess that He is Lord. (Philippians 2:9-11).

We are always being called by Jesus to Himself. (Matthew 22:14). Are you ready for our long-expected Jesus to return? Sing His praises now and forevermore!

Soli Deo Gloria!

Philip Frank

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