Thus far our Lord himself applied the passage : but the prophet adds,
III. The ends for which he executes this commission —
Our Lord in every part of his work connected two great ends :
1. The benefit of man —
[Though " once we were planted a noble vine, we are become the degenerate plants of a strange vine ; and instead of producing good fruit, we bring forth nothing but grapes of Sodom, and clusters of Gomorrha1." But Christ desires to rectify our fallen nature, and to make us " trees of righteous- ness ;" that, " instead of the thorn may come up the fir-tree, and instead of the brier the myrtle-tree k," that so we may be as trees " planted and watered by the hand of God." This was the end of his mission ; and it is invariably the effect of his ministration. Let us only view the converts on the day of Pentecost, and in them we shall behold a just specimen of the effects produced by the preached Gospel : and, to whomsoever
h There is in the original a paronomasia which cannot be expressed in a translation ; he will give Phear for Ephar, that is, " beauty for ashes."
i Jer. ii. 21. Ueut. xxxii. 32. k Isai. lv. 13.
the word of Christ comes with power, the same blessings are given ; they are transplanted from the wilderness into the garden of the Lord, and " they have their fruit unto holiness, and their end everlasting life."]
2. The glory of God—
[This could not but be the great end which Jesus ever had in view : he had sinned if there had been any consideration in his mind superior or even comparable to this. And how well was his commission calculated to promote it ! View him as undertaking our cause, and coming from heaven to redeem us ; can we fail of admiring the love and condescension of that God who sent him ? Hear the tidings he proclaims ; a full, a free, an everlasting salvation to perishing sinners : are we not filled with wonder at such stupendous mercy? See the myriads whose broken hearts he has healed ; see them rejoicing on earth, or shouting their hallelujahs in heaven ; are we not ready to clap our hands for joy, and to break forth into acclamations and hosannahs ? There is not any part of Christ's work, whether as performed by him, or enjoyed by us, but what calls upon us to glorify God with our whole hearts : and to all eternity will the praises of God resound from myriads of the redeemed, who, with united voices will exclaim, " Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and to the Lamb for ever and ever1.]
This subject may be improved,,
1. For conviction —
[All profess to hope for salvation through Christ, even though they be insensible of their lost and helpless state. But, if it be to the meek, the mourners, and the broken-hearted, that Christ came, what can they have to do with him, whose hearts are whole, and who are unhumbled before him? " They that are whole need not a physician, but they that are sick : nor did he come to call the righteous (those who fancy them- selves righteous), but sinners to repentance." Let none then expect to participate his salvation, unless they feel their need of it, and consent to receive it as his free unmerited gift.]
2. For consolation —
[They who are sensible that they have sold heaven and their own souls " for a thing of nought," are ready to say, " Can such a lawful captive ever be delivered™?" We answer, You may instantly cast off your bonds and assert your liberty, if you will but accept the proferred mercy. Only believe in Christ, and the forfeited inheritance of heaven shall be yours.
1 Rev. v. 13. m Isai. xlix. 24, 25.