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CHRIST A PREACHER OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
SOME of the most important prophecies are introduced in such a way as clearly to shew, that the writers of them were overruled, as it were, by a divine impulse, to speak things which they themselves did not understand. This was certainly the case with Caiaphas, who, being the High Priest, was moved by God to utter words, of the true import of which he had not the slightest conception [Note: Joh_11:49-52.]. I think it highly probable, also, that David in this psalm had no just comprehension of the prophecy before us The beginning of the psalm and the end of it seem to belong to David only: but here is a passage which can have no reference to him, and can be interpreted of Christ alone. To him it is applied in the Epistle to the Hebrews; the writer of which, shewing the utter inefficacy of the legal sacrifices to take away sin, refers to this psalm in confirmation of his statement; and argues from it, that God in this very passage had declared his determination to “remove” the shadowy institutions of the law, and to “establish” that which was revealed in the Gospel, even “that one offering of Christ Jesus, whereby the whole world may be sanctified and saved [Note: Heb_10:4-10.].”
The words of my text stand in immediate connexion with those cited by the Apostle: and they declare what Christ should do in his prophetic office: that as, in the capacity of our great High Priest, he should offer himself a sacrifice for our sins, so, in the capacity of a Prophet to his Church, he should “preach righteousness and salvation” to the whole world.
In this view of the passage, I shall be led to consider it as fulfilled,
I. In the ministry of Christ himself—
Our blessed Lord did not, indeed, open the truths of the Gospel so fully as his Apostles did after his resurrection: for, till after his death and resurrection, the people were not prepared to receive a full Communication of all which he was commissioned to reveal. He told his hearers, that “he had many things to say unto them; but that they could not bear them then [Note: Joh_16:12.].” Yet did he so far unfold the mystery of godliness to his hearers, that all future revelations of it should evidently appear to be only a continuation and enlargement of the same divine testimony.
1. He traced salvation to its source, the love of God the Father [Note: Joh_3:16.] — — —
2. He referred to his own sufferings as the means whereby it was to be accomplished [Note: Mat_20:28; Mat_26:26-28.] — — —
3. He displayed it in all its glorious effects, the glory of God, and the salvation of man [Note: Joh_12:28; Joh_12:32. He opened it fully, under the images of the bread of life, Joh_6:35; Joh_6:47-51; Joh_4:13-14. as also under other images, Joh_11:25-26; Joh_14:6.] — — —
Nor could any consideration whatever induce him to conceal within his own bosom any one truth which he was commissioned to declare.
[He could appeal to the heart-searching God, “I have not refrained my lips, O Lord, thou knowest.” In every part of his ministry “he witnessed a good confession [Note: 1Ti_6:13.]:” and, at the close of it, gave the most explicit directions relative to the truths that should be proclaimed by all the ministers of his word [Note: Luk_24:46-47.].]
This passage is fulfilled yet further,
II. In the ministry of all his faithful servants—
St. Peter unfolded this great salvation both to Jews [Note: Act_2:36; Act_3:16; Act_3:19; Act_4:10-12; Act_5:30-31; Act_13:38-39.] and Gentiles [Note: Act_10:43.] — — — St. Paul determined to know nothing amongst his people, “save Jesus Christ and him crucified [Note: 1Co_2:2.]” — — —
And we also can appeal to God that we, according to our ability, have followed his steps, “not shunning to declare unto you all the counsel of God [Note: Act_20:27. Here the different expressions of the text may be dwelt upon to advantage.] — — —
Let me then inquire,
1. What know you of this subject?
[It is surprising how ignorant of this great salvation many are, even after it has been preached to them faithfully for many years. But the truth is, men do not meditate on what they hear, or pray to God to impress it on their minds by his Holy Spirit: and hence, the word, like seed sown by the way-side, is taken away from their hearts, and either never springs up at all, or springs only to wither immediately for want of either root or moisture. But, my dear Brethren, you must give account to God of all that you hear, as I also must of all that I preach: and I pray God, that I may so speak, and you hear, that we may “give up our account together, with joy, and not with grief” — — —]
2. What effect has it produced upon you?
[The use of the Gospel is to bring us unto Christ, and to assimilate us to his divine image. If, then, we receive it aright, we shall be able to say with Christ, “I delight to do thy will, O my God; yea, thy Law is within my heart [Note: ver. 8.].” And, as Christ hid not God’s righteousness within his heart, but proclaimed it boldly “to the great congregation,” so must you, Brethren, before the whole world be ready to confess Christ, and to follow him faithfully, even unto death. You must not only “cleave to him with full purpose of heart [Note: Act_11:23.],” but must “glory in his cross, and by means of it be crucified unto the world, and have the world crucified unto you [Note: Gal_6:14.].” Let me then ask, Is it thus with your souls? Oh, “let there be in you the mind that was in Christ Jesus [Note: Php_2:5.]!” So shall you partake with him in all the glory and felicity which the Father has conferred upon him [Note: Php_2:9.], and which he also is empowered to bestow on all his faithful followers [Note: Luk_22:29. Rev_3:21.].]