Hebrews 7:2

Hebrews 7:2

The King of Peace.

I. All words are relative, and there is sometimes a deep and solemn lesson in their relativeness. The very naming the name of peace presupposes that there has been war, and what a tremendous fact lies in that simple inference! Man is at war with his Creator. It is over all this widespread field of war that the King of Salem has in His infinite grace stretched His sceptre, making the very ground of the battle the base and throne of the empire of His peace. The position of contending parties required an arbiter. He added the human nature to the Divine, that in His twofold being, laying his hand upon both, He might act the Day's-man's part, and unite man to God.

II. But His work ceased not here. He rose from His cross to the heavens, and as the sunken sun by the heat which it leaves covers the earth with dews, so did the Saviour, hidden from us for a little while, shed and distil on our world, from within the veil, the gentle influences of His peace-giving spirit. The secret warfare goes on indeed in the heart of every Christian, but then here is his comfort the issue is secure. It is not as with the earthly warrior. There are no uncertainties here: his crest may stoop, but it cannot be conquered; the battle may often flag during the day, but he must win in the evening. There are many things which the world can give you: it can give you amusement; it can give you excitement; it can give you pleasure; but it can never give you peace of mind no, not for an hour. Peace all Salem is Christ's exclusively; by legacy from His cross, by deed of gift from His throne, He has made it over to us "Peace I leavewith you"; the more peace you take the better subject you are of that kingdom which is called Salem. Every fear is rebellion against its King. Nothing honours Christ like the peace of His people peace is Salem's loyalty.

J. Vaughan, Fifty Sermons,2nd series, p. 15.

Righteousness first, then Peace.

I. First, we find in this order a hieroglyphic of Christ's reconciling work.

II. I see in this order a summary of Christ's operations with the individual soul. There is no inward harmony, no peace of heart and quietness of nature, except on condition of being good and righteous men.

III. I see in this order the programme of Christ's operations in the world.

IV. I see in this order the prophecy of the end. The true Salem, the city of peace, is not here. For us and for the world the assurance stands firm the King who Himself is righteousness is the King whose city is peace.

A. Maclaren, The Unchanging Christ,p. 214.

References: Hebrews 7:2. Spurgeon, Sermons,vol. xxx., No. 1768; Clergyman's Magazine,vol. iii., p. 283.Hebrews 7:4. Spurgeon, Sermons,vol. xxxi., No. 1835; Homilist,2nd series, vol. i., p. 80; Christian World Pulpit,vol. xxvii., p. 232.