Sixth Title of Christ: The Consolation of Israel
“Waiting for the Consolation of Israel.” Luxe 2:25.
Srveray glorious titles of Christ have been considered, out of each of which much comfort flows to believers. It is comfortable to a wounded soul to regard him as a physician; comfortable to a condemned and unworthy soul to look upon him under the idea of mercy. The loveliness, the desirableness, and the glory of Christ are all so many springs of consolation. But now I am to show from this scripture that the saints have not only much consolation from Christ, but that Christ himself is the Consolation of believers.
In the context you have an account: of Simeon’s prophecy concerning Christ, and in the text a description of the person and character of Simeon himself. His “fe was heavenly and holy — he was a just and devout man; and the principle from which his righteousness and holiness flowed was his faith in Christ — ‘“He waited for the Consolation of Israel.”
That the Consolation of Israel is a phrase descriptive of Jesus Christ is beyond all doubt, if you consult verse 26, where Simeon is satisfied by receiving Christ into his arms, the Consolation for which he had so long waited.
And that waiting for Christ is a phrase describing the believers of the times which preceded the incarnation of Christ is past doubt. They all waited for that blessed day; but it was Simeon’s lot to fall just upon that happy point of time wherein the prophecies and promises of his incarnation were fulfilled. Simeon and others that waited with him were sensible that the time of the promise was come, which could not but raise a general expectation of him. But Simeon’s faith was confirmed by a particular revelation, ver. 26, that he should see Christ before he saw death; which could not but greatly raise his expectation to look out for him, whose coming would be the greatest consolation to the whole Israel of God. The Spirit is frequently called in Scripture xapaxAnrys, the Comforter; but Christ in this place is called comfort, or consolation itself. The reason of both is given: “He shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you.” John 16:14. Here Christ is said to be the consolation, and the Spirit the applier of it to the people of God.
This consolation is here expressed with a singular emphasis, the consolation; intimating that there is nothing of consolation is any thing besides him — that all other comforts compared with this are not worth naming; and as it is emphatically expressed, so it is also limited within the compass of God’s Israel, that is, true believers, styled the Israel of God, whether Jews or Gentiles. Gal. 6:16. Hence the doctrine is,
Jesus Christ is the only Consolation of believers, and of none besides them.
So speaks the apostle: ‘For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.” Phil. 3: 38. Those that worship God in the spirit are sincere believers; to such sincere believers Christ is consolation: ‘ Our rejoicing is in Christ Jesus.” And they have no consolation in any thing besides him; nothing in the world can give them comfort without Christ: ‘““We have no confidence in the flesh.” The gospel is glad tidings of great joy; but that which makes it to be so is Jesus Christ, whom it reveals to us.
Four things here require attention: what is meant by consolation; that Christ, and he only, is consolation to believers; that believers only have consolation in Christ; and how it comes to pass that any believer should be dejected, since Christ is consolation to all believers.
I, THE NaTURE oF consoLaTion, which is nothing else but the cheerfulness of a man’s spirit, whereby he is upheld and fortified against all evils felt or feared. Consolation is to the soul what health is to the body after wasting sickness, or the reviving spring to the earth after a long and hard winter.
Natural comfort is the refreshment of our spirits by the good creatures of God, “filling our hearts with food and gladness.” Acts 14:17. Stnful comfort is the satisfaction and pleasure men take in the fulfilling of their lusts by the abuse of the creatures of God. ‘Ye have lived in pleasure upon earth,” James 5:5; that is, your life hath been a life of sensuality and sin.
But speritual comfort is the peace and joy gracious souls have in Christ by the exercise of faith, hope, and other graces, Rom. 5:2; and this only deserves the name of true, solid consolation; to which four things are requisite:
1. That the matter thereof be some spiritwal, eminent, and durable good; else our consolation in it will be but as the crackling of thorns under a pot, a sudden blaze, quickly extinct. Christ only gives solid, durable consolation; the righteousness of Christ, the pardon of sin, the favor of God, the hope of glory, are the substantial materials of a believer’s consolation. Rom.5:2; Matt.9:2; Psa. 4:6, 7; 2 Pet: 8,
2. Interest in these comfortable things is requisite to our consolation by them: ‘“My spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.” Luke 1:47. It is no consolation to him that is hungry to see a feast, to him that is poor to see a treasure, if the one may not taste or the other partake thereof.
3. Knowledge and evidence of interest is in some degree requisite to actual consolation, though without it a man may be in the state of consolation; for that which appears not, is, in point of actual comfort, as if it were not.
4. In order to this, the work of the Spirit upon our hearts is requisite, both to give and make clear our interest in Christ and the promises; and in both these ways he is the Comforter: the fruit of the Spirit is joy. Gal. 5; 22.
II. Curist, AND HE ONLY, IS MATTER OF CONSOLATION TO BELIEVERS.
1. Jesus Christ brings whatsoever is precious to the souls of belevers. Is pardon desired by a person condemned? this Christ brings to all believers: ‘‘ And-this is his name whereby he shall be called, the Lord our righteousness.” Jer. 23:6. This cannot but give strong consolation; righteousness is the foundation of peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. Rom.14:17. “The work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance for ever.” Isa. 32:17. Come to a dejected soul laboring under the burden of guilt, and say, Cheer up; I bring you good tidings: such an estate has fallen to you, or such a trouble is ended; alas, this will not reach the heart. If you can bring me, says he, good news from heaven that my sins are forgiven and God is reconciled, how soon should I be comforted! And therefore, as one well observes, this was the usual receipt with which Christ cured the souls of men and women when he was here on earth: Son, daughter, “be of good cheer, thy sins are forgiven thee.” And indeed it is as easy to separate light and warmth from the beams of the sun, as cheerfulness and comfort from the voice of pardon.
Are the hopes and expectations of heaven and glory cheering? Yes, nothing is if this be not. We ‘rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” Rom. 5:2. Christ brings to the souls of men all the solid grounds and foundations upon which they build their expectations of glory: ‘‘ Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Col.1:27. Name any thing else that is solid matter of comfort to the souls of men, and the grounds thereof will be found in Christ, and in none but Christ.
2. Jesus Christ removes from believers whatever is wncomfortable; therein relieving them against all their affliction and sorrow. Is si a burden and trouble to believers? Christ, and none but Christ, removes that burden. “O wretched man that Iam! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Rom. 7:24, 25. The satisfaction of his blood, Eph. 5:2; the sanctification of his Spirit, 1 John 5:6; his perfect deliverance of his people from the very being of sin at last. Eph. 5:26, 27. This relieves at present and removes finally the matter and ground of all their troubles and sorrows for sin.
Do the temptations of Satan burden believers? Temptation is an enemy under the walls; it greatly endangers, and therefore cannot but greatly afflict the souls of believers, but Christ brings the only relief against temptations. The intercession of Christ is a singular relief at present: ‘But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not.” Luke 22:32. And the promises of Christ are a full relief for the future: “‘The God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly.” Rom. 16: 20.
Is spiritual desertion and the hiding of God’s face the ground of affliction and distress to believers? ‘Thou didst hide thy face, and I was troubled.” Psa. 30:7. Christ brings to believers substantial consolation against the troubles of desertion. He himself was deserted of God for a time, that they might not be deserted for ever. In him also the promises are made to believers, that notwithstanding God may desert them for a time, yet the union between him and them shall never be dissolved. Heb. 13:5; Jer. 32:40. Though he forsake them for a moment in respect to the manifestation of his favor, yet he will return again and comfort them. Isa. 54:7. Though Satan pull hard, yet he will never be able to pluck them out of his Father’s hand. John 10:28. O what relief is this; what consolation is Christ to a deserted believer!
Are outwardafflictions the ground of dejection and trouble? How do our hearts fail and our spirits sink under the many smarting rods of God upon us! But our relief and consolation under them all is in Christ Jesus; for the rod that afflicts us is in the hand of Christ that loveth us. “Ags many as I love I rebuke and chasten.” Rev. 3:19. His design in affliction is our profit. Heb. 12:10. That design of his for our good shall certainly be accomplished, Rom. 8: 28; and after that no more afflictions for ever. “God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.” Rev. 21:3. Thus two things are most evident: 1. Nothing can comfort the soul without Christ. He is the soul that animates all comforts; they would be dead without him. Temporal enjoyments, riches, honors, health, relations, yield not a drop of true comfort without Christ. Spiritual enjoyments, ministers, ordinances, promises, are fountains sealed and springs shut up till Christ open them; a man may go comfortless in the midst of them all. 2. No troubles or afflictions can deject the soul that Christ comforts. “As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing.” 2Cor.6:10. A believer may walk with a heart full of comfort amidst ali the troubles of the world. Christ makes darkness and troubles to be light round about his people. So that the conclusion stands firm, that Christ, and Christ only, is the consolation of believers.
III. I am to show you that BELIEVERS, AND NONE BUT BELIEVERS, can have consolation in Christ; which will convincingly appear from the consideration of those things which we laid down before as the requisites to all true spiritual consolation. For,
1. No unbeliever has the materials out of which spiritual comfort springs, which must be some solid spiritual and eternal good, as Christ and the covenant are. What do unregenerate men rejoice in, but “a thing of naught?” Amos 6:13. See how their mirth is described in Job 21:12: “They take their timbrel and harp, and rejoice at the sound of the organ.” He does not say, they take the Bible, turn to the promises, and rejoice in Christ and the covenant: it is not the melody of a good conscience, the joy of the Holy Ghost: no, no, they have no acquaintance with such music as that; but the rejoicing of believers is in those things, 2 Cor. 1:12, and this is well built consolation, which reaches the heart,
2. Interest in Christ and the promises is requisite to all spiritual consolation; but no unbeliever has any title or interest in Christ and the promises, and so they cannot support him, It is not another man’s Saviour, but my own that must justify, save, and comfort my soul.
3. Evidence of a man’s peace with God is necessary to his actual consolation, which no unbeliever can possibly have; he has neither grace within him to make him the subject of any special promise, nor any witness or seal of the Spirit to confirm his interest in Christ, for he never seals but where he first sanctifies.
IV. One inquiry remains to be satisfied: Srrmva Jesus CHRIST IS CONSOLATION TO BELIEVERS, HOW IS IT THAT SO MANY BELIEVERS SHOULD WALK SO DEJECTEDLY AS THEY DO, WITHOUT ANY SPIRITUAL CONSOLATION?
1. This need not be wondered at if we consider that the consolations of Christ are of two kinds: those prepared and reserved for the believer, and those i present possesszon. Every believer has the root and seed of comfort planted and sown for him: “Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.” Psalm 97:11. They have Christ and the promises, which are the seeds of consolation, and will bring forth joy at last, though at present they have no actual consolation; the seed of all joy is sown, and in due time they shall reap the full ripe fruit.
2. It must be remembered that interest and evidence are distinct blessings: every believer has interest in Christ; but every believer has not the evidence of it. ‘Who is among you that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the voice of his servant; that walketh in darkness, and hath no light?” Isaiah 50:10. Every child of God is not of sufficient age to know his Father, or take comfort in that blessed inheritance whereunto he is begotten again. Peto 33y 4.
3. All believers do not walk with like strictness and exact holiness; all do not exercise faith in a like degree. Among Christians some are strong in grace, rich in faith, strict in obedience, tender of sin to an eminent degree; these usually have much consolation: but others are weak in grace, poor in faith, comparatively careless of their hearts and ways, frequently grieving the good Spirit of God, and wounding their own consciences — the vessel into which spiritual consolation is poured; and these are usually denied the joy and comfort with which others abound.
4. The consolations of Christ are despensed by the Spirit, who is the Comforter, and giveth to every man in such proportions and at such seasons as pleaseth him: whence it comes to pass, that he that is rich in comfort to-day may be poor to-morrow; and, on the contrary, the heart that is quite full of sorrow one hour, is filled with peace and joy in believing in the next. Things that are necessary to the being of a Christian are fixed and stable; but things belonging only to the consolation of a Christian come and go, according to the good pleasure and appointment of the Spirit.
INFERENCE 1. The state of wnbelievers is a most sad and uncomfortable state, having no interest in Christ, the consolation of Israel. It is true, they may live in pleasure upon earth’; joy may display its colors in their faces; but for all this there is not the least drop of true consolation in any of their hearts. They have some comfort in the world, but none in Christ; the little they gather from the world now is all their portion of joy. ‘Ye have received your consolation.” Luke 6:24. And as this is all they have, so they shall enjoy it but a little while, Job 21:18, 17; and while they do enjoy it, it is mixed with many pangs of conscience. ‘Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful, and the end of that mirth is heaviness.” Prov. 14:18. Whatever consolation any unbeliever speaks of besides this, is delusive; for when the day of his distress cometh, and the terrors of conscience shall awake him out of his pleasant dreams, all his sensual joys will vanish, and the doors of true consolation will be shut against him. Let him then go to Jesus Christ and say, ‘Lord Jesus, thy name is Consolation: my heart is ready to burst within me; hast thou no consolation for me? O Lord, for one drop of spiritual comfort now.” But alas, there will be none, no, not in Christ himself, for any unbeliever. It is children’s bread, the saints’ privilege; comfort and grace are undivided. Let him return into himself, search his own conscience for comfort, and say, ‘‘O conscience, thou art more than a thousand witnesses, and thousands have been comforted by thee; where thou speakest comfort none can speak trouble; hast thou no consolation for me in my deepest distress?” Alas, no; if God condemn thee, wherewithal shall I comfort thee? I can speak neither more nor less than the Scriptures put into my mouth, and I find not one word in all the book of God warranting me to be thy comforter. Believe it as an undoubted truth, that the state of unbelievers, even at the best, is a sad and dismal state.
2. Let all believers draw their comfort from Christ, who is the consolation of his people. We rejoice, says the apostle, in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. That is the true temper of a believing soul: take heed that you live not partly upon Christ and partly upon the creature for your comfort; and beware that you forsake not Christ, the fountain of living waters, and hew out cisterns for yourselves which can hold no water. Jer. 2:13. If you make any creature the fountain of your comfort, assuredly God will dry up that spring. If your souls draw their comfort from any creature, you know they must outlive that creature, and what then will you do for comfort? Besides, as your comforts are, so are you. The food of every creature is suitable to its nature. Sensual men feed upon sensual things, spiritual men upon spiritual things; as your food is, so are you. If carnal comforts can content thy heart, it must then be a very carnal heart. Yea, and let Christians themselves take heed that they draw not their consolations from themselves instead of Christ. Your graces and duties are excellent means, but not the foundation of your comfort: they are useful buckets to draw with, but not the well itself in which the springs of consolation rise. If you put your duties in the room of Christ, Christ will put your comforts out of the reach of your duties.
3. If Christ be the consolation of believers, what a joyful life should all believers hive im the world! Certainly, if the fault be not your own, you may live the happiest lives. If you would not be a discomfort to Christ, he would be a comfort to you every day, and in every condition, to the end of your lives. Your condition abounds with all the helps and advantages of consolation. You have the command of Christ to warrant your comforts. Phil. 4: 4. You have the Spirit of Christ for a spring of comfort; you have the Scriptures of Christ for the rules of comfort; you have the duties of religion for the means of comfort. Why is it then that you go comfortless? If your afflictions are many in the world, your encouragements are more in Christ. Your troubles in the world have been turned into joy, but your comforts in Christ can never be turned into trouble. Why should troubles obstruct your comfort, wnen the blessing of Christ upon your troubles makes them subservient to promote your happiness? Rom. 8:28. Shake off despondency then, and live up to the principles of religion. Your dejected life is uncomfortable to yourselves, and of little use to others.
4. If Christ be the consolation of belrevers, let all that desire comfort embrace Jesus Christ und get wnion with him. The same hour you shall be in Christ you shall also be at the fountain-head of all consolation: thy soul shall be then a pardoned soul, and a pardoned soul has all reason to be a joyful soul. In that day thy conscience shall be sprinkled with the blood of Christ, and a sprinkled conscience has all reason to be a comforting conscience. In that day you become the children of your Father in heaven, and he that has a Father in heaven has all reason to be the most joyful man upon earth. In that day you are delivered from the sting of death: and he that is delivered from the sting of death has the best reason to be happy in life. O come to Christ; till you come to him no true comfort can come to you,