Hymn 369 - All Mankind Fell in Adam's Fall

The hymn for our study this weekend was one of the first Lutheran hymns published during the Reformation in Germany. The author, Lazarus Spengler is not well known but was a contemporary of Martin Luther and a strong supporter and "co-worker" of Luther in the Reformation. He was condemned with Luther in Pope Leo X's letter of excommunication and was by Luther's side at the Diet of Worms in 1521. He was also deeply involved in the work of creating a Lutheran liturgy and hymns which were in German. 

This hymn beautifully describes the two major doctrines of the Bible, Law and Gospel or Sin and Grace. It is based primarily on Romans 5 which highlights the problem of the human condition, inherited from Adam, and God's solution to the problem of sin in Christ, the Second Adam.  

Spengler reminds us of the Biblical truth that "they have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not one" (Romans 3:12) in the opening three verses and that "through one man’s offense [Adam] judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation" (Romans 5:18). 

But Spengler also points us to God's solution and His work of service to mankind in accomplishing our salvation through Jesus. For "Christ, the second Adam, came to bear our sin and woe and shame" (verse 4). Jesus work was one of substitution: "So by one Man, who took our place, we all received the gift of grace" (verse 5).

Certainly we thank Jesus for coming, not to "be served, but to serve" and to "give His life a ransom for many" (Mark 10:45).

Lord, bring us to a deeper appreciation of our natural condition and its consequences, and of Your service to us in Your perfect life and death as our substitute! Amen!