“Christ was a very plain preacher.
Jesus Christ discovered truth powerfully, speaking ‘as one having authority, and not as the Pharisees,’ (Matt. 7:29). They were cold and dull preachers, their words did even freeze between their lips; but Christ spoke with power.
There was heat as well as light in His doctrine. And so there is still, though it be in the mouth of poor contemptible men:
‘The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God, to the casting down of strong holds,’ (2 Cor. 10:4). It is still ‘quick and powerful, sharper than a two edged-sword; and piercing, to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow,’ (Heb. 4:12).
This Prophet (Acts 3:22), Jesus Christ, taught the people the mind of God in a sweet, affectionate, and taking manner.
His words made their hearts burn within them, (Luke 24:32).
It was prophesied of Him: ‘He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard on high. A bruised reed he shall not break, and smoking flax he shall not quench,’ (Isa. 42:2)
He knew how to speak a word in season to the weary soul, (Isa. 61:1).
‘He gathered the Lambs with His arms, and gently led those that were with young,’ (Isa. 40:11).
How sweetly did His words slide to the melting hearts about Him! He drew with cords of love. He discouraged none, upbraided none that were willing to come to Him.
His familiarity and free condescensions to the most vile and despicable sinners were often made the matter of His own reproach.
But such is His gentle and sweet carriage to His people that the church is called the Lamb’s wife, (Rev. 19:7).
He revealed the mind of God purely to men. His doctrine had not the least dash of error to debase it. His most enviously observant hearers could find nothing to charge Him with.
He is ‘the faithful and true witness,’ (Rev. 1:5).
And He hath commanded His ministers to preserve the simplicity and purity of the gospel, and not to blend and sophisticate it, (2 Cor. 4:2).
And lastly, He revealed the will of God perfectly and fully, keeping back nothing needful to salvation. So He tells His disciples: ‘All things that I have heard of my Father, I have made known unto you,’ (John 15:15).
He was ‘faithful as a Son over His own house,’ (Heb 3:6).
Thus you have a brief account of what is implied in this part of Christ’s prophetical office, and how He performed it.”
–John Flavel, The Works of the John Flavel, Volume 1 (Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth, 1820/1997), 1: 124-125.
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