“A Sceptre Of Righteousness”
Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin ArticlesJesus rules his kingdom with “a sceptre of righteousness” (Hebrews 1:8; cf. Psalms 45:6). As “The Prince of Peace” and upholding his kingdom “with justice and with righteousness” (Isaiah 9:6-7 – ESV), the only sceptre appropriate for this king is that of uprightness, equity and justness. His very nature is expressed in loving righteousness, and hating iniquity (Hebrews 1:9).
First, His “sceptre of righteousness” suggests that His subjects are made righteous in the sight of law by being forgiven as they accept the rule of Jesus as king (Colossians 1:13-18; cf. Ephesians 1:7; Hebrews 9:12). As “The Prince of Peace”, He brings peace between God and man (Ephesians 2:11-18). He is a gentle, kind king who does not rule by force or coercion (Matthew 11:28-30).
Secondly, His “sceptre of righteousness” suggests that He is absolutely fair and practices equity. Note, “….and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither decide after the hearing of ears; but with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth …. and righteousness shall be the girdle of his waist, and faithfulness the girdle of his loins” (Isaiah 11:3-5). This reminds us that “God is no respecter of persons” (Acts 10:34-35). No longer does he make distinctions between Jew and Gentile and the Jew has no special privileges over any other people (cf. Romans 2:28-29; Ephesians 2:11-22). In the kingdom of Christ, all men are accepted, regardless of race, color, etc., because the king does not “judge after the sight of his eyes” (Isaiah 11:3).
Because God’s knowledge is absolute (1 John 3:20), only He can judge each man correctly or “right” (2 Thessalonians 1:5). His decisions are fair and just (Acts 17:30-31; Romans 14:10-12; 2 Corinthians 5:10). That means that if we reject the peaceful rule of Jesus, God’s justness will demand that we pay the penalty (Romans 11:22; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10).