You are the most handsome of the sons of men; grace is poured upon your lips; therefore God has blessed you forever.

   - Psalm 45.2

Be it Thine, I beg, most loving Saviour, to reveal Thyself to us who beseech Thee, so that knowing Thee, we may love Thee only, love Thee alone, desire Thee alone, contemplate Thee alone by day and by night, and ever hold Thee in our thoughts...

   - Columbanus, Sermon XII, Irish, 7th century

“Fairest Lord Jesus” ranks high on my list of favorite hymns. But you have to be careful with that hymn, lest the impression you get of Jesus be something less than complete.

As we sing “Fairest Lord Jesus” we doubtless imagine a caring and compassionate face, looking down upon us with great sympathy and love. And so it is. But the Jesus of the loving face is only half the story. For He is also Jesus of the flashing eyes, set jaw, and steely visage of a Warrior/King (cf. Rev. 1).

Read on in Psalm 45, which the writer of Hebrews applies directly to our exalted Savior (Heb. 1.8, 9). He has a sword strapped on His thigh (v. 3), sharp arrows slung over His shoulder (v. 5), and a fearsome scepter commanding uprightness across His lap (v. 6). He rides out in splendor and majesty, conquering and to conquer (v. 4; cf. Rev. 6.2). He is our compassionate Shepherd, to be true, but He is also a powerful Warrior Who goes forth day by day to increase righteousness, peace, and joy and to advance His Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven (v. 4).

When you meditate on the Savior Who came as a Babe in a manger, bear in mind the words of Milton’s “Ode on the Morning of Christ’s Nativity,” when he considered Christ’s power over demons, false deities, and the devil Himself: “Our Babe to show His Godhead true,/Can in His swaddling bands control the damnéd crew.”

This “Beautiful Savior” is also “Lord of all nations.” Look Him in the face, and see the glory of the Conquering One (2 Cor. 4.6).

Then go forth conquering and to conquer in Him.

Psalm 45.3, 4, 6, 7 (Manoah: “When All Your Mercies, O My God”)
Your sword gird on Your thigh, O Lord, in splendid majesty;
Ride out, resplendent in Your Word, to glorious victory.

Your throne, O God, is ever more, and upright is Your reign;
Thought wicked men Your rule abhor, Your righteousness must gain.

I gird myself today, Lord Jesus, in Your strength and might. Let Your Word defend and lead me in all my ways. Adapted from Faeth Fiada

T. M. Moore, Principal
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