xi. 10. _And in that day there shall be, &c._
I. In the two parts of this verse we have a twofold metaphorical
representation of the Redeemer: one expressed, one implied. 1. +An
ensign of the people+ = banner or standard, such as is set up as a
rallying-point around which, (1) the subjects of a king assemble to
do him homage; and (2) the soldiers of an army gather to receive the
commands and exhortations of their general. 2. This second use of a
standard leads to the second metaphorical representation of the
Redeemer, that of a +victorious general:+ "His rest shall be
glorious." We are thus directed to the final result of the uplifting
of Christ as an ensign: the great campaign brought to a successful
conclusion, the Victor in it rests gloriously, surrounded by the
soldiers whom He has led on to triumph, and the people to whom He has
given liberty and peace.
II. Consider how these predictions have been fulfilled. 1. By the
preaching of the gospel Christ has been lifted up, and as the result
men of all nations have sought unto Him, and will seek Him more and
more. 2. Having done and suffered all that was necessary ultimately
to secure the final victory, He has taken His place at the right hand
of the Majesty on high, and rests there gloriously; the glory of His
rest arising from the number of the subjects who do Him homage, and
of the soldiers who delight to fight His battles, from the triumphs
which He has already enabled them to achieve, and from the prosperity
and peace of all His people.
We shall make a great mistake if we end by thus admiringly noting how
the ancient prophecy has been, and is being, fulfilled in the history
of the world. _We_ are among the Gentiles of whom our text speaks:
Have we sought unto the glorious Person of whom it speaks? You desire
to do so. Do so, then, 1. _For right purposes;_ not merely that you
may be delivered from suffering, but that you may be delivered from
sin; not merely that you may ultimately gain admission to heaven, but
that you may have and now render to Him the homage and the service to
which He is entitled. 2. _In a right spirit;_ not vainly dreaming
that you have, or can win, any claim upon His regard, but recognising
that you can appeal only to His mercy, and that without it you are
lost; and making this appeal penitently and believingly. So coming to
Him, He will be found of you. He will cause you to share in His rest,
by causing you to share in His triumphs; inspired and upheld by Him,
you shall trample under foot the world, the flesh, the devil, and the
fear of death. Your whole being will be at rest; your understanding
no longer harassed by perplexing doubts; your conscience stilled and
gladdened by a righteous peace; your affections centred at last
around Him who alone is worthy of their supreme love; and this
threefold rest, so sweet and blessed now, shall be perfected and
perpetuated in heaven.--_George Smith, D.D._
The prophet here foresees that the Saviour's mission and work will so
exalt Him in the eyes of the nations, that they will turn to Him as
the one object and desire of their souls. (Compare John xii. 32.)
This prediction declares that Christ would be a banner to attract
men, that He would be the object of universal search, and that men in
finding Him would attain to true rest and glory.
I. THE BANNER. 1. A banner is naturally "lifted up;" only thus can
its purpose be accomplished (chap. xiii. 2; xviii. 3). Apt image this
of Christ. Not merely in His death on Calvary. That exaltation was
followed by His being lifted higher still by the preaching of the
gospel, by the ministry of the Holy Spirit (John xvi. 14), by the
devout lives of all His true followers. 2. A banner has usually some
emblem or device representative of some great cause, or expressive of
some great truth. (Give instances.) So when "Christ and Him
crucified" are uplifted clearly in the view of men, they see God's
hatred of sin, His love of man, and His provision for man's future
happiness and glory.
II. THE OBJECT OF UNIVERSAL SEARCH. "To it shall the Gentiles seek."
Search for Christ characterises all races of men (Hag. ii. 7) and all
periods of time (Luke x. 24). The search is often prosecuted in
ignorance. Men know not for what and for whom their souls yearn; but
it _is_ Christ of whom unconsciously they are in quest; and it is
towards Him, that by the else insatiable desires of their spiritual
nature, they are being led.
III. THE FINDING OF TRUE REST. "His rest shall be glorious." 1. The
rest we find in Christ is connected with a vital change effected in
the heart and life. He does not simply do something _for_ us; He also
does a work _within_ us. Every intelligent seeker knows that there
can be no rest until the evil that is lodged within us is resisted
and cast out (H. E. I., 1324). It is as we enter into the spirit of
Christ and share His life, that we enter into rest (Matt. xi. 28-30).
2. Our new relations to God, entered into by faith in Christ Jesus,
makes our rest very glorious. God is then known to us by the most
precious and endearing names; He is our rock, our shield, &c. Each of
these names represents to us some tender aspects of His love, some
sweet ministry of His grace.
Are you in search of the highest peace, joy, holiness, rest? Here you
may end your quest (1 Cor. i. 30; P. D., 481).--_William Manning._