Christ our Righteousness Bible Study (Part 1)

Approximately 600 years before our Savior was born in Bethlehem, Jeremiah predicted,

“Behold, the days are coming,” says the LORD,
“That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness;
A King shall reign and prosper,
And execute judgment and righteousness in the earth.
In His days Judah will be saved,
And Israel will dwell safely;
Now this is His name by which He will be called:
THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS” (Jer. 23:5,6)

This is a prophecy about Jesus Christ. Not only is He called “A King” and “a Branch of righteousness,” but Jeremiah specifically predicted that “He will be called” by a special name—”THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.” Two things impress me here: 1) That special name, and 2) That “He will be called” by it. Who do you think will call Him by that name? It seems to me that the answer is: His people will call Him that. Now I ask you, “What percentage of present-day Christians do you think have ever called our Savior by that name?” Probably less than 1%. Have you ever specifically called Him by that name? Hopefully, after reading through these Bible studies, you will. Then you will be fulfilling Bible prophecy!

Years later (after Jeremiah’s prediction), Jesus Himself taught the multitudes in His famous “Sermon on the Mount.” Speaking of such basic essentials as food and clothing, Christ declared, “after all these things the Gentiles seek.” Then, addressing His listeners, He urged, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33). As important as food and raiment are, two other things are much more essential. The first is, “the kingdom of God,” and the second is, “His righteousness.” It is “His Righteousness” that this study is about. Now notice carefully: Jesus said we should not only “seek” after “His righteousness,” but that we should do so “first” above everything else!

According to the New Testament, “righteousness” is centered in our Savior. Writing later of “Christ Jesus,” Paul stressed that He [Jesus] ” became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption—that, as it is written, ‘He who glories, let him glory in the LORD’ (1 Cor. 1:30). Thus Jesus “became for us…righteousness.” In other words, He is now “THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.”

Jeremiah predicted it.
Jesus said we should “seek” it “first.”
Paul said that Jesus Himself has become righteousness for us.

What does this mean? What exactly is “righteousness” anyway? We will find out in Part 2 of this special series. Also, one of our favorite products at White Horse Media is the powerful book, Christ and His Righteousness, by E. J. Waggoner. We recommend it highly. The retail price is $9.95 (plus S & H). If you wish to order your own personal copy, call us at 1.800.782.4253. You’ll be glad you did.

To be continued…