Isaiah 49:8-12 - Homilies By W. Clarkson

The kingdom of Christ: a missionary sermon.

In an elevated strain, full of high hope and touched with the pure joy of anticipation, the prophet writes of Messiah's kingdom. He calls our attention to—

I. ITS MOST STRIKING CHARACTERISTICS .

1 . Spiritual restoration. "To establish the earth," or rather to restore the land, and to bring about the repossession by their true owners of the "desolate heritages." In the kingdom of Christ humanity, that had "lain waste" and had produced all kinds of noxious and ugly growths, should be recultivated, bear its own true feints of peace and righteousness, and be a land restored.

2. Spiritual freedom. To the prisoners of sin, of folly, and of vice, the commanding word will be addressed, "Go forth" ( Isaiah 49:9 ); and they will walk in the atmosphere of sacred freedom.

3 . Abundance of truth. The disciples of Christ are " the children of light;" they walk in the light of his holy truth ( Isaiah 49:9 ).

4 . The sheltering and providing power of the sovereign Saviour. The present Lord shall satisfy their hungering hearts, shall slake their spirits' thirst, shall shelter them from the heats of strong temptation, shall supply them with all-sufficient grace for their recurring need ( Isaiah 49:10 ). All its swings are in him and he is near to minister to all their wants.

II. THE OPENNESS OF THE WAY TO ITS FULL ESTABLISHMENT . ( Isaiah 49:11 , Isaiah 49:12 .) In the arrangements of Divine providence, when Jesus Christ came and introduced his gospel to the world, there were ready three things that were wanted to carry it over the world.

1 . A missionary people—supplied by the Jewish nation, in whom were all the elements of moral worth and religious enthusiasm.

2 . A suitable language—supplied by the Greeks.

3 . A highway to distant lands—supplied by Roman roads and Roman laws. And the new faith, which seemed certain to perish as soon as it was born, grew and spread on every hand. It was as if the very obstructions were "away." Difficulties disappeared; a "great door and effectual was opened." And in our time the way is being further opened. Exploration, human science, international treaties, even war itself, is levelling the separating hills and bridging the dividing gulfs; and even into the very heart of China (Sinim?) the missionary is penetrating with the truth of Christ.

III. ITS ACCEPTABLE HOUR . The era in which we live is one in which the Father of all is disposed to bless and save. It is "a day of salvation." The atoning work is wrought; the Divine Spirit is ready to regenerate and renew; the Word of truth and grace is multiplied; great is the company of the preachers.; the Churches of Christ are fast awaking to a sense of their obligation and their opportunity. It is a time to pray, to work, and to look for God's favouring presence and redeeming power.—C.