The Beautiful Christ

Aim: To behold Jesus as our glorious Savior, even from our valleys of trouble.

Doctrine: In the midst of our worst calamities, Jesus comes to our rescue! Though the days are dark and foreboding, Christ's light and life conquers all.

Exegesis: The ways the beautiful Christ loves His church: by giving her a godly clergy (vv. 1-4), His perfect atonement (vv. 5-6), and a living hope (vv. 7-8).

Further application: How we are to be captivated by the beautiful Christ: by comprehending how ugly sin is and by being enamored with Jesus' person.

Key verse: v. 5 ''Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.''