Come, Lord Jesus (The Church Has Waited Long)

“Come, Lord Jesus (The Church Has Waited Long)” is a heartfelt Advent and eschatological hymn by Horatius Bonar, a prominent Scottish minister and hymn writer of the nineteenth century. The hymn expresses the longing of the church for the return of Christ, combining both devotional urgency and confident expectation. Bonar gives voice to the centuries-long anticipation of God’s people, echoing the prayers of the faithful who have awaited the fulfillment of God’s promises.

The hymn emphasizes the immediacy and necessity of Christ’s coming. It draws on the biblical hope that the Lord will appear suddenly to bring salvation to His people and judgment to the ungodly (Matthew 24:44, KJV). The repeated cry, “Come, Lord Jesus,” mirrors the apostolic declaration in Revelation, underscoring the earnest desire of the church for the visible return of its Savior (Revelation 22:20, KJV). This personal, corporate, and persistent call situates the believer within the larger story of God’s redemptive plan.

Bonar also highlights the transformational aspect of Christ’s coming. The hymn portrays the Lord’s advent as a moment when divine power will be revealed, the faithful will rejoice, and sin and suffering will be finally overcome. This theme resonates with Isaiah’s prophecy of the Lord’s mighty intervention, where God’s presence brings deliverance and a new order of righteousness (Isaiah 64:1-4, KJV). The hymn thus balances longing with hope, encouraging steadfast faith amid present trials.

There is a pastoral and devotional quality throughout the hymn. It invites the congregation to maintain watchfulness, prayer, and holy living as they await the coming of Christ. The promise of the blessed hope is both motivating and comforting, reminding believers that patience is warranted because the Lord’s return is certain (Titus 2:13, KJV). Bonar’s language conveys urgency without despair, hope without delay, and longing without weariness.

“Come, Lord Jesus (The Church Has Waited Long)” continues to inspire Christians worldwide. Its enduring appeal lies in its faithful expression of the church’s eschatological hope, uniting worship, prayer, and expectation in a single, confident cry for the Savior’s return.