“Behold, I have given Him for a witness to the people, a leader and
commander to the people.”—ISA. lv. 4.
IT is often said that a living head is essential to the well-being of a
living Church. Nothing can be clearer than the teaching of Scripture
that our Living Head is in heaven now, seated at the right hand of God.
It is as a Living Head that our Blessed Saviour is here predicted. Three
rich promises are made by God to every hungering and thirsting
heart—Life, a Covenant, and a living Head. Life, for He says, “Hear, and
your soul shall live.” A covenant, for He says, “I will make an
everlasting covenant with you;” and a Head, for He adds, in the words of
our text, “Behold I have given Him for a witness to the people, a leader
and commander to the people.”
The question may arise, “Who is it that is thus given for a witness? Who
is the person that the people are to recognize as their leader and
commander?” The prophecy says David. But David, we know, was a typical
character. He was not merely a king, but a type; a type of Him who was
to be both his son and his Lord. Accordingly we are taught that the name
David was applied to the Lord Jesus, for we find the words applied by St.
Paul to Christ and His resurrection. {44a} We are there taught that when
God raised up Christ from the dead, He gave us the sure mercies of David.
The Lord Jesus Christ, therefore, is the Witness, He is the Leader, and
He the Commander of His people. In other words the risen Redeemer is our
Living Head.
The text, therefore, directs us to His present action, not to His death
or even to His life before His death, but to His present Headship at the
right hand of God. He is