DISCOURSE: 1116
CHRIST THE PLANT OF RENOWN
Ezekiel 34:29. I will raise up for them a plant of renown.
THE names by which our blessed Lord is designated in the Scriptures are exceeding various. Every one of them illustrates some part of his character, and leads us, as it were, one step towards the knowledge of him; though, as the light of all the stars combined would give but a very faint idea of the sun, so the lustre reflected from every image in the creation conveys a very inadequate notion of the beauty, the excellency, the fulness of Christ.
That the image in the text refers to him, is clear from the whole context. God, having severely reproved the negligence of those whom he had appointed to watch over his flock [Note: ver. 2–10.], promises that he will raise them up a Shepherd, who shall faithfully discharge all his duties, and execute for their good the trust reposed in him [Note: ver. 11–16.]. This, without any further explanation, would have been sufficient to point out to us “that good Shepherd,” the Lord Jesus Christ: but the subsequent verses mark the name and offices of this Shepherd in such plain terms, that there is not a possibility of doubt respecting the person to whom the prophecy immediately and exclusively relates [Note: ver. 23, 24.]. In the text, the same person is spoken of, only under a different metaphor: in considering which we shall notice,
I. The representation that is here given of Christ—
Christ is often spoken of by the prophets under the figure of a branch [Note: Jeremiah 33:15.Zechariah 6:12-13.], or rod, growing out of a stem [Note: Isaiah 11:1.]: and in this view he is represented as contemptible in the eyes of a blind and ungodly world [Note: Isaiah 53:2.]. But he is deservedly called, “A plant of renown,”
1. On account of his mysterious nature—
[Never did such a plant as this exist before. Never could the highest archangel have conceived it possible that such a plant should exist, unless God had expressly revealed it to him. Nothing in the whole creation has any resemblance to it, or could convey the smallest idea of it. This plant has two perfectly distinct natures, and each of those natures complete in all its attributes: it is both divine and human: it unites in itself the fulness of the Godhead with all the sinless infirmities of manhood. In short, the Lord Jesus Christ is “God manifest in the flesh:” and a most stupendous mystery it is [Note: 1 Timothy 3:16.]! The manner also in which he assumed our nature was most mysterious. He was not born like other men, but formed in the womb of a pure virgin through the intervention and agency of the Holy Ghost. And in this view, “as a child born, and a son given,” it was expressly declared that “his name should be called, Wonderful [Note: Isaiah 9:6.].”]
2. On account of his transcendent qualities—
[Other trees have one species of fruit, and are useful chiefly, if not entirely, in one view only. But behold, this plant bears twelve manner of fruits; fruit for every season, whether of prosperity or adversity; fruit for every occasion that can possibly arise; and suited to every person who desires to partake of it [Note: Revelation 22:2.]. Moreover, the leaves of this tree are as salubrious as its fruit; and are an infallible remedy for all the maladies to which our souls are exposed. Its virtues have been proved in every age. Its fame has been spread throughout the whole universe: and the more it has been tried, the more, without one single exception, has it been valued. The tree cast into the waters of Marah, was but a faint shadow of this, which, if properly used, would heal the fountains of iniquity that diffuse their deadly poison through the whole world [Note: Exodus 15:23-25.]. This branch is of yet further use to build the temple of the Lord [Note: Zechariah 6:12-13.]: well then might the prophet say of it, that it should be “excellent and glorious [Note: Isaiah 4:2.].”]
3. On account of the estimation in which he is held—
[See in what light he is viewed by his heavenly Father: “Behold my servant whom I uphold: mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth [Note: Isaiah 42:1.Proverbs 8:30; Matthew 3:17.]!” See what the angels think of him: no sooner did they see him planted in the earth, than they came down from heaven to announce the glad tidings, and ascribed “Glory to God in the highest [Note: Luke 2:7-14.].” Shall I need to tell you how he is regarded by man?” By those who know him not, “he is despised and rejected:” but “to them that know him, he is precious [Note: 1 Peter 2:7.].” What joy was excited in Abraham’s heart, when he only got a glimpse of him, two thousand years before his incarnation [Note: John 8:56.]! With what ecstatic fervour did the prophets call upon the whole creation to rejoice in the prospect of his advent [Note: Isaiah 44:23.]! When he was come, and his excellencies were more fully known, his disciples “counted all things but dung for the knowledge of him [Note: Philippians 3:8.],” and were ready, at all times, and in any manner, to lay down their lives for him [Note: Acts 20:24.]. There are multitudes also in the present day, in whose eyes he is “chiefest among ten thousand, and altogether lovely [Note: Song of Solomon 5:10; Song of Solomon 5:16.].” But how will they express their admiration of him in the day when “he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and admired in all them that believe [Note: 2 Thessalonians 1:10.]!” In heaven too, when all that have eaten of his fruits, and felt the healing efficacy of his leaves, shall surround that “tree of life,” and unite in ascribing to it their whole salvation; what “a plant of renown” will it then appear!]
As God has fulfilled to us this gracious promise, and raised up for us this plant of renown, let us consider,
II.
Our duty towards him—
In allusion to the metaphor, of which we ought not to lose sight, it may he observed, that we should,
1. Abide under his shadow—
[Many are the storms and tempests to which we are exposed, and from which nothing but this tree can shelter us. It is planted on purpose that it may be “an hiding-place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest, as rivers of water in a dry place, and the shadow of a great rock in a weary land [Note: Isaiah 32:2.].” If we flee to him, we are as safe as the Israelites were in their blood-sprinkled houses, from the sword of the destroying angel [Note: Exodus 12:21-23.]. When “God shall rain down fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest on the wicked [Note: Psalms 11:6.],” we shall have no cause for fear; for “though a thousand shall fall on our side, and ten thousand at our right hand [Note: Psalms 91:1; Psalms 91:4; Psalms 91:7; Psalms 91:10.],” “no evil whatsoever shall befall us;” “he will cover us with his foliage; and his truth shall be our shield and buckler.” Let us then draw nigh to him; and we shall experience the blessedness of the Church of old, who “sat under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet unto her taste [Note: Song of Solomon 2:3.].”]
2. Live upon his fruits—
[We have before observed, that every kind of fruit is to be found in him: wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, peace, and whatever else we can desire, are to be obtained from him in rich abundance [Note: Ezekiel 34:30.]. And every one may get access to him. We need not go up to heaven, or down to hell, or travel to a remote country: he is nigh to us: he is in the Church; he is in our closet; he is in our very hearts [Note: Romans 10:6-8.]: wherever we go, there he is, ever present with us, ever ready to supply our wants. No fiery sword prohibits our approach to him [Note: Genesis 3:24.]: on the contrary, he invites us to come to him, to cease from “feeding upon ashes,” and to take of his fruits freely [Note: Isaiah 55:2.]. None are shut out from this right. There is no wall about him, no exclusive privilege to those who by national, or even personal, relation may be considered as nigh to him: but “all who are afar off,” whether they be old or young, rich or poor, moral or immoral, are invited to partake of all his benefits [Note: Acts 2:39. with Romans 10:12-13.]. Moreover, there is no price required, as there is for the fruits of other trees: we are told to “eat abundantly [Note: Song of Solomon 5:1.],” and to take it all “without money and without price [Note: Isaiah 55:1.]”
Let us then accept this gracious invitation, and “eat, and live for ever [Note: Isaiah 55:3.].”]
3. Bless God for him—
[What a mercy would the fallen angels account it, if such a plant were to be raised up for them! And how thankful would they be, who are now out of the reach of this tree, if they might return to this world for a single hour with a permission to gather its fruits! Surely then we who have liberty of access to it, and especially those of us who are daily eating its fruits, should bless and adore our God for “his unspeakable gift [Note: 2 Corinthians 9:15.].” If, only on the eve of its being planted in this world, the pious Elizabeth, the blessed Virgin, and the divinely inspired Zacharias brake forth into such exalted strains of praise and thanksgiving [Note: Luke 1:68-69.], surely we should not be silent, but should call upon “our souls, and all that is within us, to bless his holy name [Note: Psalms 103:1.].”]
4. Commend him to others—
[The lepers who found abundance in the Syrian camp, could not forbear going to acquaint their famished countrymen with the good tidings [Note: 2 Kings 7:9.]: and shall we be backward to inform our neighbours respecting this tree, whereby all their diseases may be healed, and all their wants supplied? The moment that Andrew and Philip had discovered it, they endeavoured to bring their friends to a participation of their bliss [Note: John 1:40-41; John 1:43; John 1:45.]. Let us do the same. Our enjoyment of its fruits will be enhanced, rather than diminished, by a communication of them to others. Let us, I say, in compliance with the direction given us, exert ourselves to the uttermost, if peradventure we may introduce them to the knowledge of Christ, and be instrumental to the salvation of their souls [Note: Isaiah 12:4-6.]