Speaking of David… Speaking of the Son ( capital “S”) of David…  and speaking of lineage… let’s veer off a bit and make some connections as we move into these last two Thursdays before Christmas.

Matthew starts his gospel with these words:

A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ the son of David, the son of Abraham: Matthew 1:1

The Old Testament is full of prophecy of the coming Son of David.

Matthew writes primarily to the Jews when he relates the Gospel story. Being from the line of David is important and very Jewish. So, he gives the lineage of Jesus first pop out of the bag at the beginning of chapter 1, from Abraham to David to the Babylonian exile, right down to Joseph, who he makes clear is only the “husband of Mary.” The angel reminds Joseph that he is not the father; Mary conceives from the Holy Spirit.

Matthew is the only one to tell us about Joseph’s part in that first Christmas. In Joseph’s dream, the angel tells him,

“Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 1:20

When Jesus becomes a man, He teaches and heals. People have come to believe that He is the Anointed One, the Messiah. They often use another popular title for Him. The “s” becomes a capital—”Son of David.”

Two blind men called out to him, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!” Jesus said, “Do you believe that I’m able to do this?” “Yes, Lord,” they replied. He touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith it will be done to you,” and their sight was restored. Matthew 9:27-30

Another example, a Canaanite woman comes, begging him to heal her daughter of demon possession.

“Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me!” she said. Matthew 15:21

During Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday), the people shout,

“Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” Matthew 21:9 

Even the Pharisees get in on the title.

Jesus asked them, “What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?” The son of David,” they replied. Matthew 22:41-42

Jesus can’t see the lower case “s”, but he can hear it in their voices. Ho-hum, son of David, (and with their noses in the air) of the Jewish line of course.

The common people have a greater understanding than these austere teachers of the law.

Jesus confronts the Pharisaic thinking because they see Him only as a son of David and not the promised Messiah, not the Lord, not the Son of God.

Let’s give Him due praise in our preparations and festivities this week as we begin to honor this holy Son of David and His coming into our world.

~ Joyce ~