The Sign among the Peoples
The scepter of Your kingdom is a scepter of uprightness; You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness.
PSALM 45:6-7
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The Sign among the Peoples
This, therefore, is a remarkable picture of our King Jesus Christ. He sits upon His throne in order to declare the right, to employ Christians, and to sanctify them. Thus they grow from day to day in faith and the righteousness of works. They are purified from offenses, so that lust is diminished, sadness is reduced, despair taken away. All of this He does by the scepter, as [the psalmist] expressly adds, since the fanatical spirits mock the oral Word and the ministry of the Holy Spirit. You must not do that, but follow the authority of the Holy Spirit, who calls the Word by the glorious name "straight scepter." It is the sign and banner that He has raised among the peoples. Christ did not wish to be seen by us visibly. For that reason He has given His scepter, that we may pay attention and hear, for through it the Holy Spirit is active. If we have this scepter, we have enough, since He will give nothing by visible pomp or the external appearance of the kingdom. Rather, He offers His scepter, through which He confers His benefits on us.
From Lectures on Psalm 45 (Luther's Works 12:247)
June 19
PSALM 45:6-7
+
The Sign among the Peoples
This, therefore, is a remarkable picture of our King Jesus Christ. He sits upon His throne in order to declare the right, to employ Christians, and to sanctify them. Thus they grow from day to day in faith and the righteousness of works. They are purified from offenses, so that lust is diminished, sadness is reduced, despair taken away. All of this He does by the scepter, as [the psalmist] expressly adds, since the fanatical spirits mock the oral Word and the ministry of the Holy Spirit. You must not do that, but follow the authority of the Holy Spirit, who calls the Word by the glorious name "straight scepter." It is the sign and banner that He has raised among the peoples. Christ did not wish to be seen by us visibly. For that reason He has given His scepter, that we may pay attention and hear, for through it the Holy Spirit is active. If we have this scepter, we have enough, since He will give nothing by visible pomp or the external appearance of the kingdom. Rather, He offers His scepter, through which He confers His benefits on us.
From Lectures on Psalm 45 (Luther's Works 12:247)
June 19
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