"The Prince"                      

Isaiah 9:6

 

     The Lord Jesus Christ is frequently called "a Prince" (Ezek. 34:23-24; 37:24-25; Dan. 9:25; Acts 5:31). As it is used by God's prophet,Isaiah,this title "Prince" implies that Christ, at the time of his incarnation and birth, was the rightful, legal heir to the throne upon which he now sits. It might properly have been translated "King". The Lord Jesus, the Prince of Peace, is also here called "the Lord of Peace" (II Thess. 3:16), and "the King of Peace" (Heb. 7:2). Here are three glorious facts revealed in the Bible about Christ the Prince.

     1. CHRIST IS A PRINCE BY BIRTH BECAUSE HE IS THE KING'S SON. Our Savior is the Son of David by birth and the Son of God from eternity (Rom. 1:1-4). As the Son of David, according to the flesh, Jesus Christ is the lawful heir to the throne of David. He is the promised Messiah. And as the eternal Son of God,Christ has an incontestible right to sit upon the throne of universal dominion. He is God over all, blessed forever. As God, sovereignty is his, essentially his (Dan. 4:35-37; Isa. 46:9-13).

     2. CHRIST IS ALSO A PRINCE BY VIRTUE OF HIS OFFICE OBEDIENCE TO GOD THE FATHER AS OUR MEDIATOR (Phil. 2:5-11). In his Diety he has always been the Prince and Governor of the universe. But as Man our Mediator earned the right to be the Prince and King over all things (Psa. 2:8; Heb. 1:1-3, 5-9; 2:7-9; 10:11-14). The throne and dominion which our Savior now possesses is the reward of his obedience to God as our Mediator and Substitute.

     3. THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, OUR DIVINE SAVIOR, IS A PRINCE WITH ABSOLUTE, UNIVERSAL POWER, DOMINION, AND AUTHORITY (John 17:2). God Almighty has put the universe under the absolute rule of that Man who loved us and gave himself for us.He is the Prince of the kings of the earth (Rev. 1:5). He is the sovereign Prince that he might be the great Savior of God's elect (Acts 5:31). Our Savior's dominion is universal, total, and eternal. The object and sure end of Christ's mediatorial monarchy is twofold. First, Christ rules the world for the salvation of God's elect. He works all things together for the eternal, spiritual good of God's elect (Rom. 8:28). Second, our Redeemer's rule of the universe is for the eternal praise, honor, and glory of the triune God (I Cor. 15:25-28), that God may be all in all. Christ the Prince shall have his way. All his redeemed ones shall be saved. And everything shall ultimately bring praise to God.

 

Don Fortner