‘Once in Royal David’s city’ we sing. It is a well loved and familiar carol, one of many that I love, being quite a traditionalist when it comes to Christmas music. Bethlehem was the birthplace of King David, and of course became the birthplace of King Jesus. Another great carol ‘While Shepherd’s watched’ has the line, ‘born of David’s line’, and the hymn, ‘Hail to the Lord’s Anointed’, describes Jesus as ‘great David’s greater son.’ But why was it so important that Jesus was born of David’s line? Here are my thoughts.
SON OF DAVID
“Hosanna to the Son of David!
‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’
Hosanna in the highest!”
Matthew 21:9
The genealogies in both Matthew 1 and Luke 3 show that Jesus was physically descended from King David. This was the fulfilment of the prophetic promise given to David through Nathan the prophet,
‘And your house and your kingdom shall be established forever before you. Your throne shall be established forever’. (2 Samuel 7:16)
When the Angel Gabriel appeared to Mary he told her that her son, although the Son of God, would also be given David’s throne,
‘He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David.’ (Luke 1:32)
WELCOMING A KING
The people of Jesus’ time knew that the Messiah would earn the title ‘Son of David’. It is what the multitudes cried when they flocked to welcome Jesus as He rode triumphantly into Jerusalem (Matthew 21:9). As a descendant of David’s royal line, in human terms He had a right to the throne of Israel. As they cried their hosannas they believed they were welcoming a king.
A MAN AFTER HIS OWN HEART
But why was it so important to God that Jesus was called the ‘Son of David’? God chose David to be King of Israel, because he was ‘a man after His own heart’ (1 Samuel 13:14).
David was far from perfect, but held a special place in God’s affection, and knew a closeness with God that was ahead of his time. He was obedient to God, sought His will and direction, submitting himself to God’s care and protection. David was a warrior King who brought peace to Israel and established a strong Kingdom. But He was also a worshipper, giving us many of the Psalms, establishing 24/7 worship in the Tabernacle, and overseeing the return of the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. Jews of Jesus’ time would have looked back and revered both David and his reign.
THE HEART OF GOD PERSONIFIED
And then the ‘Son of David’ appeared. I believe David was a picture of Christ, albeit an imperfect one. Jesus was a man whose heart was completely and perfectly after God’s heart, He lived His life in submission and obedience, a life that worshipped God. Our warrior king, He would fight, to the point of giving up His life, in order to establish a new and eternal kingdom. David brought the Ark, the presence of God back into the heart of the kingdom of Israel. Jesus came to bring the presence of God into the heart of all who would receive Him.
David was a man after God’s own heart; Jesus was the heart of God personified.
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Ask Yourself: Is my heart after God’s heart? Even when I get things wrong, does my heart want to be after His?
Ask God: Show me Jesus, any areas of my life where my heart goes after things that are not of You.
Pray: Thank You Jesus, that Your heart was so completely in tune with the Father’s heart. Thank you that You came to earth willingly, out of obedience to the Father’s will, but also to show us how much the Father loves us. You lived a life that worshipped God and honoured Him.
Help me to tune my heart into Yours, so that my life is lived after Your own heart, in every area of my life. Forgive me when I set my heart on things that are not pleasing to You. I want my life to reflect You and to be known as someone who loves and serves You well.
Amen.
Further Reading: Luke 2:1-20
This is an extract form my Advent Devotional, Christ Illuminated.
Christ Illuminated: Seeing Jesus for who He is, an Advent Devotional
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