Sketches of Four Hundred Sermons Jeremiah 23:5 Behold, the days come, said the LORD, that I will raise to David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper… I. THE PERSON OF THE MESSIAH. 1. His human incarnation — "A Branch." This term is often used by the prophets, to represent Christ's assumption of our nature. 2. His personal perfection — "A righteous Branch."(1) In His essential nature as God, Jesus Christ was infinitely pure, holy, just, and good. (2) In His human nature as man, He was perfectly righteous, and free from everything sinful and impure. 3. His sovereign character — "A King shall reign." He possessed every qualification requisite for the dignity of His character. He is infinite in wisdom, righteousness, power, and goodness. He is not only a Prophet to instruct, a Priest to atone, but also a King to rule and save His people. II. THE NATURE OF HIS KINGDOM. "A King shall reign and prosper," &c. 1. A universal kingdom. His presence fills all space, and His power is unlimited. 2. A mediatorial kingdom. This refers to Christ's official character, as the "Mediator between God and man." 3. A spiritual kingdom. The kingdom which Christ established in the work of redemption, is designed in its personal influence to destroy sin, that "grace might reign through righteousness unto eternal life." 4. A celestial kingdom. Heaven is often denominated a kingdom, and is the promised inheritance of the Lord's faithful people (Luke 12:32). (Sketches of Four Hundred Sermons.) Parallel Verses KJV: Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. |
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