I now proceed to the second observation—THAT WHEN JESUS WAS COME
INTO THE WORLD, THEN WAS THE PROMISE OF GOD FULFILLED—namely, THAT
HE WOULD ONE DAY SEND US A SAVIOUR.
Take three texts for the confirmation of this point—1. 'This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world' (John 6:14). These words were spoken of them that were present at that miracle of Jesus, when he fed five thousand with five barley loaves, which a lad had about him in the company; for these men, when they had seen the marvel, being amazed at it, made confession of him to be the Saviour. 2. 'Lord, I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world' (John 11:27). 3. 'This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners' (1 Tim 1:15).
For the explaining of this observation I will briefly handle three questions—FIRST. How this Jesus is to be distinguished from others of that name. SECOND. What it was for this Jesus to come into the world. THIRD. What it was for him to come to be a Saviour.
[HOW THIS JESUS IS TO BE DISTINGUISHED FROM OTHERS.]
QUEST. FIRST. For the first, the Jesus in the text is distinguished from all others of that name.
First. By the manner of his birth; he was born of a virgin, a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph; but he 'knew her not till she had brought forth her first-born son, and he called his name JESUS' (Matt 1:25).
Second. He is distinguished from others of that name by the place of his birth—to wit, Bethlehem, the city of David; there he must be born, there he was born (John 7:42; Matt 2:4-6).
Third. He is distinguished by his lineage—he came 'of the house and lineage of David' (Luke 2:4-6).
Fourth. He is distinguished by the time of his birth—to wit, the time of the prophets prefixed (Gal 4:4).
Fifth. But his common distinction is Jesus of Nazareth; by this name he is distinguished one and twenty times in the New Testament—1. His enemies called him 'Jesus of Nazareth' (Matt 26:71; Mark 14:67; John 18:5). 2. His disciples called him 'Jesus of Nazareth' (Matt 21:11; Luke 24:19; John 1:45; Acts 2:22). 3. The angels called him 'Jesus of Nazareth' (Mark 16:6). 4. And he calleth himself 'Jesus of Nazareth' (Acts 22:8). 5. Yea, and he goeth also by the name of 'Jesus of Nazareth' among the devils (Mark 1:24; Luke 4:34).