Tag: Son of David

Christian faith, Christian Writer, Jesus, Names of Christ, The Word of God

JESUS, SON OF DAVID – ADVENT THOUGHTS (4)

joymargetts

‘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.

~~~~~~

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

Purchase a copy direct from the author here

Or in paperback or ebook, from the publisher here

advent, Christian Writer, christmas, Jesus, Names of Christ, The Word of God

ADVENT 12: JESUS – SON OF DAVID

joymargetts

SON OF DAVID

The genealogies at the beginning of the gospels of Matthew and Luke both show how Jesus was physically descended from King David. This was the fulfilment of the promise given to David in 2 Samuel 7:16, ‘your throne shall be established forever’. The people of Jesus’ time knew that the Messiah would have the title ‘Son of David’ (Matt 21:9). As a descendant of David’s royal line, in human terms He had a right to the throne of Israel. The Angel told Mary that her son, although the Son of God, would also be given David’s throne (Luke 1:32)

Text of Luke 1 v 32 against a background of weathered wooden slats, surrounded by Christmas lights and pine cones

MAN AFTER GOD’S HEART

But why was it so important to God that Jesus was called the ‘Son of David’? 1 Samuel 13 : 14 tells us that God chose David to be King, as a man after His own heart. 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 most of the Psalms, establishing 24/7 worship, and overseeing the return of the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. Jews of Jesus’ time would have looked back and revered David and his reign.

Text of Matthew 21 v 9 against a background of weathered wooden slats, surrounded by Christmas lights and pine cones

GREAT DAVID’S GREATER SON

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, He lived His life in submission and obedience, a life that worshipped God. A 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.

What does it look like for us to have a heart after God?

The star of David in blue and gold, with a stylized blue crown above, and the words 'Son of David' below
Image of front cover of the book The Healing

‘God gave everything He had for our salvation. He gave his only Son. Then, when we return to Him as Father, He loads us with even more good things: peace, joy, hope and many more blessings besides, as you are just beginning to experience. What then is our rightful response to all He has given us? What could we possibly give back to Him?’

‘I have nothing apart from my horse and a few meagre belongings now. What could I possibly give to God?’ And then he knew the answer. ‘I have nothing to give Him but myself,’ Philip whispered. It was the realisation of a powerful truth.

‘Which is all any of us have to give Him,’ Hywel replied softly, ‘and all that He ever asks of us.’

THE HEALING p 85

Joy Margetts is a published author and blogger. Her books are works of Christian Historical fiction. Set in medieval Wales against the backdrop of Cistercian abbey life, they tell stories of faith, hope and God’s redemptive power. Her debut novel ‘The Healing‘ was published by Instant Apostle on 19 March 2021. Joy has also self- published a short novella, ‘The Beloved‘ as both a companion to ‘The Healing‘, and as an easy to read standalone story, which is available to buy on Amazon Kindle.

‘The Pilgrim‘, her second full length novel, was published by Instant Apostle on 22 July 2022

More information on Joy, and her books can be found here www.joymargetts.com