0190. 187. Christ’s Sevenfold Character

187. Christ’s Sevenfold Character

In Luk_1:5-17, Luk_1:26-33; Luk_2:25-26, Luk_2:36-37, Luk_2:38

1. “The Lord” (Luk_1:17). John’s mission was to “make ready a people prepared for the Lord,” or, as the Revised Version, “To make ready for the Lord a people prepared.” A Lord for the people to meet their need, and the people for the Lord to be His joy.

2. “Jesus” (Luk_1:31; Luk_2:21). A common name among the Jews, and yet how uncommon because of Him who bears it.

3. “Son of the Most High” (Luk_1:32, R.V.). The first time God is called “The Most High God” is in Gen_14:18-19, Gen_14:20, and as such He is “The Possessor of Heaven and earth.” Coupled with the statement of the angel regarding Christ as “the Son of the Most High,” we see how He illustrates the original title, for as such He will be “great,” have the throne of His father David, reign over the House of Jacob, and have an unending Kingdom. Ponder the seven “shalts” and “shalls” of Luk_1:31-33.

4. “The Son of God” (Luk_1:35). Christ was God the Son before He became the Son of God; that is, in the essence of His being He was eternally the Son of God, but when the Father would express Himself in human form He became a Son.

5. “The Consolation of Israel” (Luk_2:25). “Consolation” means something or someone near who encourages, enables, and helps us along, hence to console or comfort. The words “comfort” and “consolation” occur ten times in 2Co_1:3-7.

6. “The Lord’s Christ” (Luk_2:26). When the aged Simeon took up the infant Christ in his arms he not only saw “the Lord’s Christ” in the infant, but also the “Salvation,” and “the Light to lighten the Gentiles” and “the glory of Israel” (Luk_2:30, Luk_2:32).

7. “Redemption” (Luk_2:38). Christ has paid the price by His precious Blood, that He might set us at liberty—Eph_1:7. He frees us from sin’s penalty and power, and will ultimately free us from sin’s presence.

By: DR. F. E. MARSH