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December 5

Title: Jesus, the son of David

Text: Matthew 1:1

David was Israel’s greatest king. There is no debate there. The rise of the shepherd boy is the stuff of legends. But as great as David was—he was never going to be Israel’s greatest king. His kingdom came to an end. Ultimately, David was only a type. There are many similarities between Jesus and David.

Both came out of Bethlehem. 

Both were shepherds. 

—One raised sheep. The other is the Good Shepherd. 

Both were warriors. 

—David was a warrior who conquered God’s enemies in battle. Jesus is the eschatological, divine warrior who conquers all God’s enemies in battle on the cross (Col. 2:8)

Both had a group of mighty men. 

—David had 37 mighty men. Jesus had 12 disciples. 

And there was a prophecy stating that from David’s offspring—a Son—will come and set up an eternal kingdom that will have no end (2 Samuel 7:12-13). It wasn’t Solomon. Solomon died. The Kingdom was split after his death. Centuries past. But then the true son of David arrived. And His kingdom would reign forever. This is clearly stated in Matthew 1:1. 

“The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David…” (Matthew 1:1) 

Matthew, writing to a predominantly Jewish audience, made it very clear—Jesus of Nazareth is the prophesied Son of David. He is the One you have been waiting for. But here was the challenge, this eternal kingdom did not arrive the way they thought. Being the Son of David, they rightly thought Jesus would be a political Messiah. Most of them probably only wanted Jesus as a political Messiah. They wanted Jesus to put Rome under His feet. They wanted Jesus to put on the nations under His feet. They were ready for Zion to finally rise to global prominence. 

But they missed the Day of His visitation (Luke 19:44). They did not recognize that His primary mission was to “seek and save the lost” (Luke 19:10). They certainly did not understand that Jesus came and inaugurated His kingdom, on a spiritual plane, but the realization and earthly establishment of this kingdom is still in the future. Most theologians would say this establishment will be at the Second Coming of Jesus. 

So if you are like me—you cannot wait for this eternal kingdom to come to earth. I am so tired of earthly, power-hungry, broken, spiritually bankrupt governments. Even this current administration, which is trying to reverse the corruption and chaos by bringing our nation back to Judeo-Christian values—is still just another government that will come to an end someday. 

Remember Christians, our citizenship is in Heaven. Are you striving to live out God’s will here on earth, bringing shalom through the proclamation of the gospel? I hope so. Jesus is our only hope. So let your light shine bright this Christmas season! Jesus is the light of the world. Don’t ever place your faith and hope in anything or anyone other than the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. 20 days until Christmas!