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His
Characters
CHRIST
IN A SEVENFOLD CHARACTER.
Christ is seen
in seven characters in Luke 2:25-34.
Ⅰ. Consolation of Israel (
verse 25). Christ in this character is One who is alongside to encourage and
comfort.
An old
Christian, as he was lying on what proved to be his deathbed, said
“My soul most
surely prizes
The sin atoning
Lamb;
Thence all my
hope arises,
Unworthy though
I am.”
Ⅱ. Lord’s Christ ( verse
26). Jesus as the “ Christ” signifies God’s Anointed (John 1:41, margin). Jesus being anointed with the Holy Spirit
was the evidence that He was the Sent of God (Acts 10:38),
and the Baptizer with the Holy Spirit ( John 1:32,33).
Ⅲ. Jesus (verse 27). The
name “ Jesus” means “ Saviour,” and is always associated with Him in His
humiliation, as is illustrated in being circumcised. Godet says upon the
presentation of Christ in the Temple, “ After the circumcision there were two
other rites to observe. One concerned the mother. Levitically unclean for eight
days after the birth of a son, and for fourteen days after that of a daughter,
the Israelitish mother, after a seclusion of thirty-three days in the Temple a
sacrifice of purification (Lev. 12). The other rite had
reference to the child; when it was the firstborn it had to be redeemed by a
sum of money from consecration to the service of God and the sanctuary. In
fact, the tribe of Levi had been chosen for this officer simply to take the
place of the firstborn males of all the families of Israel; and in order to
keep alive a feeling of His rights in the hearts of the people, God had fixed a
ransom to be paid for every firstborn male. It was five shekels, or, reckoning
the shekel at 2s.4d,. nearly 12s. (Ex.13:2; Num 8:16; 18:15). Verses 22 and 23 refer
to the ransom of the child, verse 24 to Mary’s sacrifice.
Ⅳ. Salvation (verse 30). Salvation is here
personified. It is well to let all our blessings resolve themselves into
Christ, as He Himself said when He went into the house of Zaccheus, “ To-day is
salvation come to thy house” ( Luke 19:9).
Ⅴ. Light (verse 32). He is
Light to discover evil to us: He is Light to remove the consequence of evil
from us, through cleansing by His blood; and He is Light in showing us the path
in which to walk.
Ⅵ. Glory of Thy people
Israel (verse 32). Israel alas! would have none of Him; hence they are wanting
in glory, but when they shall look upon Him whom they have pierced, and receive
Him as their Messiah, then Christ shall be their glory indeed.
Ⅶ. Sign (verse 34). Christ
is the Rise or Fall of every being. They who speak against Him shall find He is
opposed to them, and a Sign of their eternal condemnation.
── F.E. Marsh《Five Hundred Bible Readings》
COMPASSION
OF THE LORD.
When Pharaoh’s
daughter saw the fair child, Moses, weeping, she had compassion upon him, and
manifested her love in the kindly interest she took in him, and the loving care
she exercised on his behalf. The word “ compassion” is the same that occurs in
Malachi, where it speaks of God sparing those who feared His name: “ I will
spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him” (Mal.3:17). The same term is used in speaking of God’s gracious
action in His forbearance towards Israel, when He is said to have “ had
compassion on His people” (2 Chron.36:15). In Joel ii.18, the word is translated “ pitied
Moses, so the Lord has graciously had compassion upon us, for “ God commendeth
His love toward us, in that while we were ye sinners Christ died of us” (Rom.5:8).
This fact may
be further illustrated by the several instances where Christ is said to have
had compassion upon people.
Ⅰ. The Shepherd having
compassion upon the scattered sheep, and being willing to save them (Matt.9:36; Mark 6:34).
Ⅱ. The Divine Physician
having compassion upon the sick, and healing them (Matt.14:14).
Ⅲ. The Miracle-worker having
compassion upon the hungry multitude, and supplying their need (Matt.15:32; Mark 8:2).
Ⅳ. The Restorer having
compassion upon the blind men, and giving them their sight (Matt.20:34).
Ⅴ. The Cleanser having
compassion upon the unclean leper, and cleansing him (Mark 1:41).
Ⅵ. The Comforter having
compassion upon the sorrowing mother, and raising her son to life (Luke 7:13).
Ⅶ. The Good Samaritan having
compassion upon the helpless traveler, and taking care of him (Luke 5:33).
Ⅷ. The Almighty Deliverer
having compassion upon the demon possessed man, and liberating him (Mark 5:19).
Ⅸ. The Father having
compassion upon the prodigal, and giving him a royal welcome (Luke 15:20).
The One who had
compassion upon the people when on earth, is the same One with Whom we have to
do.
── F.E. Marsh《Five Hundred Bible Readings》