LIVING WATERS
For the proclamation of the Gospel and the edification of the Body of Christ
King of justice and King of peace
Without a doubt, the order in which the books of the Bible are arranged was divinely established. There is in this sequence an increase in the light of revealed truth. Watchman Nee has pointed out that each doctrine and teaching progresses through the pages of the Bible, complementing each other, expanding, until completing itself towards the end.
We have already shared some things from the books of Romans, Galatians and Hebrews, three closely linked epistles. In them it is about the foundation of the gospel, having faith a central place to achieve the justice of God, as opposed to the works of the law.
First, in Romans, the gospel is amply expounded to us; then, in Galatians, we are rebuked for trying to mix it with the works of the flesh; and finally, in Hebrews, we are exhorted to diligently hold fast to the essence of the gospel, in order to enjoy the full rest it offers.
Now, the title of our meditation is "King of justice and King of peace", an expression that in Hebrews 7:2 refers to Melchizedek. The figure of this ancient king is clearly typological, since it shows us the Lord Jesus in his double aspect of priest and king.
And as a king – and this is what we want to consider today – he has two qualities: he is the King of justice and the King of peace. It is precisely about justice that we are told in these three epistles mentioned, and about everything that God's justice brings to the believer. Romans chapters 3 and 4 show us how justice is received.. And then, in chapter 5, the apostle unites justice and peace by saying, "Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (5:1). Galatians, for his part, tells us that the fruit of the Spirit is "peace" (5:22), and that those who walk according to the gospel have peace (6:16).
Here in Hebrews we find a climax. Christ not only reconciled us to God through his death on the cross, and made us righteous, but Jesus is the King of justice, and justice dwells in his kingdom. In him all the possible extremes that we find in humanity so heterogeneous, are gathered and declared just by faith in his blood. God has poured out his wrath on the Righteous, so that his righteousness may be imputed to those who take refuge in it in Christ. There is so much justice that is enough for everyone, and of such quality that it can transform even the worst specimens of the human race.
Jesus has brought true peace to our hearts, since he is the King of peace. Peace is not the absence of war, but something much deeper that only the beloved of God can know. It is the assurance that God has satisfied his demands in the person of his Son, and that he no longer demands anything from you. It is the rest that comes from seeing the perfection of Christ and his work. It is the profound certainty that nothing, neither in heaven nor on earth, can threaten the rest of your soul in Christ.
God's justice brings peace. The price of our peace fell on him. Debtors have settled the debt in Christ, and nothing can move them from that firmness. Our Lord not only grants us his righteousness and imparts his peace, but he himself is the King of Justice and the King of peace. Those who dwell in his kingdom will not lack both of them. In reality, nothing is lacking for those who have Christ.