Come Thou Long Expected Jesus (arr. Mark Hayes)
Before Jesus was sent into this world to take on human flesh, the people were long awaiting a Saviour to save them from the punishment and consequences of their sins. God had promised them that there would be a Redeemer. This song, as all advent songs, looks forward to the coming Messiah who will redeem them. Jesus fulfilled all of the law given to God’s people (in our place since we cannot perfectly) (Luke 2:21-24). Since the beginning in the garden of Eden, Israel (and God’s people) held onto the hope of God’s promise when He cursed the serpent and promised to send a Redeemer to conquer Satan and the mortal consequences of sin:
“I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” – Gen 3:15
They waited in hope and expectation for the first coming of the Messiah, and they were not disappointed. So we, too, can wait in hope and expectation for the second coming of the Messiah when He will return and by His sufficient merit (having died for our sins and imputed His righteousness onto us), raise us to His “glorious throne” as written in this song.
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.
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.