The Beauty Of Our
Great King
Isaiah 33:17
"Christ is lovely. Christ is very
lovely. Christ is most lovely. Christ is always lovely. Christ is altogether
lovely!" (Thomas Brooks). We delight to sing of our Beloved, "He is
altogether lovely!" And our God promises,"Thine eyes shall see the
King in his Beauty!"
What is that beauty which faith beholds in
Christ the King? There is a natural beauty that belongs to Christ for he is
God, who is "glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders."
And there is a natural beauty in Christ as man. He is manhood in perfection!
Certainly there is a natural beauty in him as the God-man. But the beauty of
which Isaiah spoke is not that of our Savior's nature and character. The
beauty, the glory, that Isaiah spoke of is the beauty
and glory of his office and position as King.
Hezekiah was a man of beautiful character
when he wore the garments of humiliation (II Kings 19:1). But God promised his
people that they would again see him in the beauty of his royal position upon
the throne of
Our Savior had this beauty and glory, the
beauty and glory of total dominion as King, from eternity (John 17:5). He who
is the eternal God is the eternal King by incontestable right. He who is the
express image of the Father's Person and the brightness of his glory was
eternally rich in glory. But for our sakes he cast off that beauty which
originally belonged to him (II Cor. 8:9).
Today, our great King again wears the
crown of glory and beauty as our Mediator.
Worthy is
the Lamb that was slain,
The Prince of Peace who groaned and died;
Worthy to rise, and live, and reign,
At His almighty Father's side.
On his head
are many crowns (Rev. 19:12). Christ Jesus wears the crown of a Conqueror who
has vanquished every foe...A Prince who can never be defeated or overthrown...A
Master who has the heart allegiance of all his servants...an Intercessor who
can never fail...A Brother who is full of love...a Forerunner who for us is
entered into glory...and a God whose purpose is sure, whose dominion is
unfailing!
Don Fortner