It only remains now to outline the fruits of regeneration. (continued)
CHRIST
1. THE MISSION OF CHRIST
E THAT is the best expositor of Scripture has, no doubt, H given us the best exposition of his offices when in the synagogue at Nazareth He read from Isaiah 1xi., saying, "This day is this Scripture fulfilled in your ears" (Luke iv. 17, 18, 21). As Isaiah was authorised and directed to proclaim liberty to the Jews in Babylon, so was Christ God's messenger, to publish a more joyful jubilee to a lost world. And here we are told:
(a) How He was fitted and qualified for this work. 'The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me." The prophets had the Spirit of God moving them at times, both instructing them what to say and exciting them to say it; but Christ had the
Spirit always resting on Him without measure; but to the same intent that the prophets had, as a spirit of counsel and a spirit of courage (cf. Isa. xi. 1-3). When He entered upon the execution of His prophetical office, the Spirit, as a dove, descended upon Him (Matt iii. 6). This Spirit which was upon Him He communicated to those whom He sent to proclaim the same glad tidings, saying to them, when He gave them their commission, "Receive ye the Holy Ghost'', thereby ratifying it.
(b) How He was appointed and ordained to it. 'The Spirit of God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me."' What service God called Him to He furnished Him for. Therefore He gave Him His Spirit, because He had, by a solemn and sacred unction, set Him apart to this great office, as kings and priests were of old destined to their offices by anointing. Hence the
Redeemer was called the Messiah, the Christ, because He was anointed with the oil of gladness above His fellows. "'He hath sent me." Our Lord Jesus did not go unsent. He had a commission from Him who is the fountain of power. The Father sent Him and gave Him commandment. This is a great satisfaction to us, that whatever Christ said He had a warrant from heaven for. His doctrine was not His, but His that sent Him.