107. MAR 7:24. CONCEALMENT OF CHRIST. IMPOSSIBLE

Mar_7:24. Concealment of Christ. Impossible

"But he could not be hid."’97Mar_7:24.

Jesus had been toiling all day in his heavenly avocation of teaching the people when he arose and went into the borders of Tyre and Sidon, and entered into a house, where wearied and fatigued nature might have repose, and therefore he would have no one know that he was there. But the text informs us that "He could not be hid."

I. We observe that Christ Jesus never has been hid.

A reference to six distinct periods of our world’s history will establish this fact We refer,

1. To the age immediately succeeding the fall.

To our first parents Christ was revealed as the woman’s seed, who should bruise the serpent’s head. And there can be no doubt that Abel’s sacrifice had direct respect to the Messiah thus promised, Gen_3:15; Gen_4:1; Heb_11:4.

We refer,

2. To the patriarchal age.

And here we have still more abundant evidence, that Christ was not hid. God expressly revealed him to Abraham and he saw Christ’s day, and was glad, JohnJn 8:56. Jacob wrestled with him, and obtained the blessing. And all their altars, and sacrifices, and services, were designed to keep alive their expectation of the true and great sacrifice which would be offered up in the end of the world once for all.

3. In the Mosaic or Levitical age Christ was not hid.

All the arrangements of that economy pointed out and distinctly referred to Christ. Sacrifices, offerings, and the tabernacle with all its furniture. And the priests with their garments and breastplates, &c., all pointed to the great High Priest of our profession, Gal_3:16-29; Hebrews 9 and Hebrews 10.

4. We refer to the prophetical age.

And here Christ was still more fully revealed. His person, work, sufferings, and glory were all specifically predicted. "To him gave all the prophets witness," Act_10:43; Luk_18:31. He was David’s king and Lord. Isaiah’s Immanuel, Light of the Gentiles, and Glory of Israel. Ezekiel’s Shepherd, and Plant of Renown. Daniel’s Messiah, the Prince. Micah’s Ruler. Zechariah’s Jehovah’s Fellow; and Malachi’s Refiner, and Sun of Righteousness. Jesus was the centre of their predictions, "For the testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of prophecy," Rev_19:10.

We refer,

5. To the time of his personal appearance, and residence in our world.

John was his public herald and harbinger. His baptism and acknowledgment of the Father and anointing were all public. His teaching and his miracles were not concealed. The healed testified of him. Devils testified of him. The tempest and the storm testified of him. The rocks and graves, the rent veil, and the darkened sun, all testified of him. In short, "He could not be hid." We refer,

6. To the era commencing with the day of Pentecost, and extending to the present period.

Being qualified with the influences of the Holy Ghost, the apostles went and preached Christ everywhere; and the name of Christ, and the cause of Christ, despite of all the attacks of Pagans, Mahomedans, and Jews, have been made known and exalted in the sight of all nations. And now thousands of his servants, in almost every language and tongue, are preaching the unsearchable riches of Christ.

Notice.

II. That Christ never shall be hid.

We infer this,

1. From the history of the past.

It is impossible to conceive of more malignant or concentrated efforts employed against him, than what have been employed, and yet he has not been hid. His ancient enemies have long since mouldered with the dust, and all his future enemies shall inevitably share the same doom.

We infer this,

2. From the express declarations and promises of the Father.

"He is to have the heathen for his inheritance." "All nations are to serve him," and "all his foes shall lick the dust." "He is to sit on his Father’s right hand, until his enemies are made his footstool." Psa_72:9; Isa_53:10; Eze_21:27. Dan_7:14; Heb_1:13

We infer this,

3. From his own right, power and glory.

He created all things for himself. He upholds all things. He has redeemed the world. His kingdom therefore it is, by right; and he has power, and it will be his glory, to subdue all things unto himself. His title is "King of kings and Lord of lords." We notice,

III. That Christ ought not to be hid.

1. He ought not to be hid by his ministering servants.

It is their calling to publish Christ. To lift him up. To point the world to his cross.

"’Tis all their business here below

To cry, ‘Behold the Lamb!’"

In all things "He must have the preeminence."

2. He ought not to be hid by his collective body the church.

The church is to be clothed with him. To exhibit him in all his ordinances. To exhibit him by obedient homage to his laws. By referring all the authority, and giving all the glory to him, "Who is head over all things to his church."

3. He ought not to be hid by individual believers.

They are to be "His witnesses;" his confessors; "living epistles." To hide Christ is to dishonor him; to offend the Father; to grieve the Spirit; to bring ourselves under that solemn declaration, "Of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he shall come in his own glory, and he Father’s, and the holy angels." Luk_9:26.

Application

1. Let Zion’s sons rejoice in a revealed Saviour. A Redeemer so great, so glorious, so precious.

2. Let sinners believingly behold the Lamb of God, and thus obtain justification, peace, and a good hope of eternal life.

3. Let the impenitent not forget, however they may reject him now, that when he makes his second advent, he will be visible to all, both friends and foes. "For every eye shall see him," &c.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS