Comparing Christ to Kings

21 APRIL

Behold, the days to come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. Jeremiah 23:5

SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: Revelation 5

Jeremiah's comparison of Christ to earthly kings should be deemed proper, for God speaks to us according to the measure of our capacities. He cannot fully express what Christ is in a few words. Still, we must bear in mind that we must rise above our consideration of earthly kings to Christ; for though He is compared to them, He is not limited by that comparison. After contemplating what our minds can comprehend of Christ, we must ascend farther and much higher than this comparison.

The difference between the righteousness of Christ and the righteousness of kings must be noted. Those who rule well can administer righteousness and judgment in no other way than being careful to render to each person his due by checking the audacity of the wicked and by defending the good and the innocent. We can expect no more than this from earthly kings.

Christ is far different, for He is not only wise in knowing what is right and best, but He also endues His own people with wisdom and knowledge. He executes both judgment and righteousness because He defends the innocent, aids those who are oppressed, gives help to the miserable, and restrains the wicked. But He also executes righteousness, because He regenerates us by His Spirit. And He executes judgment because He bridles, as it were, the devil.

We can now understand how we must mark the transcendence of Christ over earthly kings. We see the analogy, for there is some likeness and some difference. The difference between Christ and other kings is very great, yet they are alike in some things, so earthly kings are cited to us as figures and types of Christ.

John Calvin

FOR MEDITATION: Consider the greatest rulers who ever existed. Regardless of their wisdom, their glory, their fame, or their power, Christ far exceeds them all. He has no equal, for He is the King of kings. In what ways does He execute righteousness and judgment in your life?

365 Days With Calvin

Selected and Edited by Joel R. Beeke

A Ruler of Iron

25 January

Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel. Psalm 2:9

SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: Isaiah 63:1-6

Christ has such power that He reigns over even those who are averse to His authority and refuse to obey Him. Psalm 2:9 implies that everyone will not voluntarily receive Christ’s yoke; many will be stiff-necked and rebellious. But even those He will subdue by force and compel them to submit to Him.

The beauty and glory of the kingdom David speaks of here are obvious when people willingly run to Christ in the day of His power and shoe themselves as His obedient subjects. But the greater number of people will rise up against this king with a violence that spurns all restraint. So the psalmist states here that this king will prove himself superior to all such opposition. God exhibited a specimen of this unconquerable power in war primarily in the person of David, who vanquished and overthrew many enemies by force of arms. But the prediction is more fully verified in Christ, who, neither by sword nor spear, but by the breath of His mouth, smites the ungodly to their utter destruction.

While the prophets in other parts of Scripture celebrate the meekness, the mercy, and the gentleness of our Lord, the psalmist describes Him here as rigorous, austere, and full of terror. But His severe and dreadful sovereignty is set before us here only to strike alarm into His enemies. Furthermore, it is not at all inconsistent with the kindness with which Christ tenderly and sweetly cherishes His people. He who is a loving shepherd to His gentle sheep must also treat wild beasts with severity, either to convert them from their cruelty or effectually to restrain it.

John Calvin

FOR MEDITATION: One day, every knee will bow to Christ the King. Think about that today as you interact with people and hear what they are doing. Will they and you bow in adoration or terror before the Son of the living God?

365 Days With Calvin

Selected and Edited By Joel R. Beeke