319. ISA 53:7. THE PUBLICATION OF THE GOSPEL
Isa_53:7. The Publication of the Gospel
"How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings; that publisheth peace, that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation, that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth."’97Isa_53:7.
Whatever literal reference this passage might have to the interesting deliverance of the people of God from the Chaldean bondage, it is clear that it chiefly refers to the great and glorious announcement of the gospel of Christ. As such, it is found in that striking passage of the great apostle of the Gentiles. "For whosoever shall call," &c., Rom_10:13. It is in this application of it, that it is deeply interesting and supremely important to every human being. Observe, the text contains,
I. A delightful Representation of the Gospel of Christ.
II. An interesting Description of the Mode of its Publication.
I. A delightful Representation of the Gospel of Christ.
1. The gospel is represented as announcing good tidings.
This is literally the meaning of the word gospel, "good tidings." Shall I say that these good tidings centre in one glorious fact? The provision of a Saviour for a guilty world; every thing else is based on this fact. The angels said, "We bring you good tidings of great joy, for unto you," &c. This was the event which had engaged the minds of the ancient seers’97which had animated the priests’97which had been the unvarying theme of the prophets’97which had formed the great source of the rejoicing of the Old Testament church. "This," says the apostle, "is a faithful saying," &c. Every thing connected with the gift of the Saviour, forms matter for joy. The supreme dignity of his person; the completeness of his work; the glory of his doctrine; the efficacy of his death; and the exhaustless fulness of bus blessings.
2. It publishes peace.
Man united with the fallen apostate spirits against God. His rebellion exposed him to God’s displeasure; involved him under the condemnation of the curse; arrayed heaven against him. In addition to this, his guilt filled his own conscience with distracting fears, and with overwhelming, gloomy forebodings of eternal ruin; so that all abroad is against him, and all within against him. The gospel is a message of reconciliation, and an embassage of peace. It announces that Christ became the Prince of Peace; that he has endured the curse, and obtained peace for us by the blood of his cross. That he is the one Mediator, and hath effected a covenant of peace between God and man. It whispers peace to the conscience, and produces peace and joy in the Holy Ghost, &c.
3. It brings tidings of good.
Not only is God at peace with the sinner, but he waits to bless him with all good.
(1) There is acceptance into God’s favor, and that is good; better than life; it is the light and life of the soul. "He restoreth my soul." Smiles on it, loves it, &c.; delights, &c.
(2) There is divine adoption. Being received into the family of God; forming part of his household; provision for all their wants, &c.
(3) There are the influences of the Spirit, and these are good. To illumine; to convince; to guide; to solace; to meet-en for heaven.
(4) There are all the promises, the precious promises of the new covenant, and these are good; and these the gospel offers to us; "All yea," &c.; all-sufficient grace; lack no good thing; tidings of good for all states, and persons, and times.
4. The gospel publishes salvation.
A salvation just meeting the demands of the sinner. He is guilty; he is depraved; he is condemned; a salvation begun on earth, carried on in time, and consummated in glory; eternal salvation.
5. The gospel declares the reign of Jesus.
Christ is king in Zion, according to the saying of Jehovah; Psa_2:6-7, &c. "Lo, this is our God, we have waited for him and he will save us;" "he reigneth," "witness to it, ye cherubim and seraphim and all ye hosts who worship," &c.; "he reigneth." Witness, ye children of Zion. "He is head over all things," &c. In his spiritual Zion he has his throne, &c. The Son of David holds his court, "and sits in judgment there." "He reigneth," attest it, ye who have received Christ into your souls by faith. Is he not supreme in your affections? his kingdom is within you. "He reigneth;" "the earth is the Lord’s;" "he directs all things," &c.; he is the Governor of the nations; all things are by him. "He reigneth;" devils know it, and try to flee from before him, exclaiming, "What have we to do," &c. "He reigneth;" "of his government there shall be no end;" he shall live and reign for ever and ever; "his name shall endure," &c.
II. An interesting Description of the Mode of its Publication.
1. Notice the messengers appointed to declare it.
Jesus himself went forth preaching the good tidings of his kingdom. He taught the people the great mystery of salvation, &c. Now, the messengers are men, not angels; men who have been called and qualified, sent of God; men who have known and felt the power of the truth themselves. "We have this treasure in earthen vessels," &c.
2. The publication of this gospel is to be free and extensive.
They are to go forth prominently,’97to ascend the mountain-tops, and there, before God, and angels, and men, they are to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ. Besides, sinners are wandering on the top of the mountains. Mountains of ignorance’97mountains of skepticism’97mountains of profanity’97mountains of idolatry. Like the great and good Shepherd, the heralds of the cross must pursue them with the overtures of mercy, and the shout of salvation. The message of grace is to be published throughout the world, and to every creature.
3. The publication of the gospel is to be a source of joy and delight to perishing souls.
By some it will be ridiculed; by others spurned; by others coolly and indifferently heard; but to thousands it shall be spirit and life,’97it shall be solace and bliss. Thousands shall hail the messengers of the cross, and from their hearts obey that gospel, &c. "Ho v beautiful," &c. See, that colony or nation has revolted; has been in arms against the monarch; the sentence has gone forth! they are fearing the dread wrath, &c.; but behold, the king sends an act of grace, of amnesty, &c. The inhabitants are waiting for its publication; they are looking out; at last they see at a distance, on the top of the mountains, the approaching herald; oh, how they are gladdened, and exclaim, "How beautiful," &c. See that country suffering from famine; death, &c., surrounding them; the people all pale and haggard; messengers are sent to seek supplies; provision is obtained; the staff of life found in abundance; the people are waiting. Well, at last the messengers are seen returning, on the tops of the mountains, &c. "How beautiful," &c. See that camp, and behold death in a direful form is spreading destruction through it. Every remedy fails; total extinction is threatened; when hope fails, physicians with efficacious remedies arrive; they lift their eyes towards the hills, and exclaim, "How beautiful," &c.
Application
1. The subject should excite admiration and praise. The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord. But here is matchless love, unparalleled grace.
2. Have we experienced the saving power of the gospel? Have we hailed its tidings? "Blessed are the people," &c. Is it our boast, and joy, and song?
3. The infatuation of the rejectors of the good news "salvation." "How can they escape," &c. What shall the end of those be, &c.
4. The duty of the church to diffuse the gospel to the ends of the earth. Its prayers, energies, and means should all bear to this one great end, &c.
Autor: JABEZ BURNS