Tag: Son of David
Crying out, not silenced!
Scripture reading for May 3rd: Matthew 20, Psalm 88, Proverbs 26
Matthew 20: 29-34 “And as they went out of Jericho, a great crowd followed Him. And behold, there were two blind men sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was passing by, they cried out, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” The crowd rebuked them, telling them to be silent, but they cried out all the more, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” And stopping, Jesus called them and said, “What do you want Me to do for you?” They said to Him, “Lord, let our eyes be opened.” And Jesus in pity touched their eyes, and immediately they recovered their sight and followed Him.”
When people who are living in a hopeless situation have a ray of hope, they get motivated to act. Such was the case of the two beggars outside of Jericho as Jesus traveled on to Jerusalem. They heard Jesus was passing by and began to cry out loudly for mercy, addressing Jesus with a messianic title, “Son of David”. They crowd considered them nuisances and tried to silence them. But these men would not be denied and cried out persistently. Jesus heard their cry and summoned them with the question of what they wanted Him to do for them. They plainly stated their desire for healing of their sight. Jesus, moved by compassion, touched their eyes and immediately restored their sight! Humbly and persistently crying out gets God’s attention!
Psalm 88:1-2 “O Lord, God of my salvation; I cry out day and night before You. Let my prayer come before You; incline Your ear to my cry!”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for another example in this story of Your heart of compassion for those blind and hurting. Thank You that you take time even for those the world tries to silence as a nuisance. Forgive me when I have foolishly considered someone not worthy of time or attention that You want to touch. Use me to be Your hand extended to those blinded by the god of this world, and all to Your glory.
Proverbs 26:12 “Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.”
God’s amazing plan to send His Son!
Scripture reading for July 18: 1st Kings 19-21, 2nd Chronicles 17, Psalm 129, Matthew 1
Matthew 1: 17-21 “So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ fourteen generations. Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered these things, behold an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call His Name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”
God is intimately involved with each person. He knows their names and the plans He has for them. He has times and seasons that He Alone has set to accomplish His purposes. He had this special history of the generations of people from Abraham, the father of faith, until David, king of Israel and flowing down through Jehoshaphat for 42 generations to Joseph a descendant of David. God chose Mary, also a descendant of David, to be the mother of His Son. He spoke to Mary and she agreed with His plan. God spoke to Joseph and calmed his fears caused by Mary’s pregnancy. Even the Name, Jesus, was given for God’s amazing Son who would save His people from their sins!
Psalm 129:4-5 “The Lord is righteous; He has cut the chords of the wicked. May all who hate Zion be put to shame and turned backward!”
Prayer: Father God, I am in awe of Your amazing plan to send Your Son to earth in human likeness specifically to save us from our sins. The virgin birth, His sinless life, and His willing sacrifice of His own life that I might have life is amazing love demonstrated to me and all sinners. Fill me with the Holy Spirit and love to share this Good News with those who have not heard!
2nd Chronicles 17:3-6 “The Lord was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the earlier ways of his father David. He did not seek the Baals, but sought the God of his father and walked in His commandments, not according to the practices of Israel. Therefore the Lord established the kingdom in his hand. And all Judah brought tribute to Jehoshaphat, and he had great riches and honor. His heart was courageous in the ways of the Lord.”
God is impartial!
Scripture reading for May 17th: 1st Chronicles 10-13, Acts 10
Key Scriptures: Acts 10:34-39 “So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears Him and does what is right is acceptable to Him. As for the word that He sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ(He is Lord of all), you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.”
Peter preached Jesus Christ as Lord of all to Cornelius, the Roman Centurion and his family. God graciously saved them and filled them with the Holy Spirit. God shows no partiality to those who will surrender to Him! He makes them mighty warriors for Christ, the Son of God, Son of David.
1st Chronicles 12:38 “All these, men of war, arrayed in battle order, came to Hebron with a whole heart to make David king over all Israel.”
Thankful for a fully committed heart!
Scripture reading for April 4th: 1st Kings 11-15
Key Scriptures: 1st Kings 15:11-15 “Asa did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, as his father David had done. He expelled the male shrine prostitutes from the land and got rid of all the idols his fathers had made. He even deposed his grandmother Maacah from her position as queen mother, because she had made a repulsive Asherah pole. Asa cut the pole down and burned it in the Kidron valley. Although he did not remove the high places, Asa’s heart was fully committed to the Lord all his life.”
The book of Kings recorded the lives of leaders that followed King David in leading Israel. Many of them went astray. King Asa, however, followed in David’s footsteps and did right in God’s eyes. He rid the land of idols and even removed his own grandmother from a position of prominence because of idolatry. His heart was “fully committed to the Lord!”
Thankful for Jesus’ full commitment: Jesus Christ, Son of God and son of David, was fully committed to God! “Now this is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent. I have brought You glory on earth by completing the work You gave me to do.” (John 17:3-4)
The Son of David!
Scripture reading for March 31st: Luke 20
The week before Jesus’ last Passover, He went into the temple and was questioned by the religious leaders. They were trying to trap Him so that they could have an excuse to kill Him. They had already decided to do it, but were looking for the right opportunity. As they asked Him questions, He answered them with such skill as to silence them. (Luke 20:26, 40) Coincidentally, this was the same time that the Israelites were to be examining the Passover lambs that would be slain for their families!
Jesus then turned the tables on these leaders. He posed a question to them concerning the Messiah. “How is it that they say the Christ is the Son of David? David himself declares in the Book of Psalms: ‘The Lord said to my Lord; “Sit at my right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for your feet.” David calls Him ‘Lord.’ How then can He be his son?” (Luke 20:41-44) The leaders were unable to answer His question. Jesus used the Old Testament Scriptures to show that the Messiah was also David’s Lord!
“While all the people were listening, Jesus said to his disciples, “Beware of the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and love to be greeted in the marketplaces and have the most important places of honor at banquets. They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. Such men will be punished most severely.”” (Luke 20:45-47) Jesus knew the hypocrisy of the religious leaders. He spoke plainly to His disciples warning them. He also warned the people who would soon be tested as well. The Son of David was Lord of all!
Boring genealogy?
Scripture reading for March 6th: Luke 3
When most people read the Bible, they are confused by the lists of names, many that are unfamiliar and hard to pronounce. These lists are often skipped to get to the ‘good stuff’! But our Father cares about names and keeps records. Individuals are important and God knows each person by name! God also honors His Word given to past individuals. He never lies, but is a God of truth!
“Now Jesus Himself was about thirty years old when He began His ministry. He was the son, so it was thought, of Joseph, the son of Heli, . . .The son of David, the son of Jesse, . . . the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham,. . . the son of Shem, the son of Noah, . . . the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.” (Luke 3:23, 31-32, 34, 38) Luke explained that it appeared that Jesus was the son of Joseph. This is what some people thought, however, Jesus had been conceived by miraculous means and was really the Son of God! (Luke 1:31-32) (Luke 3:22) Joseph, however, was a descendant of David and that would make Jesus legally eligible to take the throne of David! Jesus was also in the line of Abraham, and heir of the promises that through his Seed, all nations would be blessed! (Genesis 12:3) Jesus was also a son of Noah and his righteous son Shem. In fact, Luke traced the righteous line all the way back to Adam and the promised “Seed of Woman” who would crush the head of the Serpent! (Genesis 3:15)
Genealogies are never boring in God’s Word! They tell a story of God’s plans and His faithfulness to keep His Word. Through faith in the Son of God, Jesus Christ, we are in His story too!
The son of David, Priest and King!
Scripture reading for June 25th: Psalms 107-110
Psalm 110 is one of David’s psalms used by Jesus Christ to confound his adversaries. Jesus was being tested by the teachers of the law to prove that he could not be the messiah. To counter their arguments, Jesus quoted Psalm 110:1 and attributed it to King David speaking under the power of the Holy Spirit. “The Lord said to my lord: “Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet.” (Psalm 110:1) “David himself calls him ‘Lord.’ How then can he be his son?” (Mark 12:36-37a) Jesus’ question was designed to help these teachers of the law connect with the plain teaching of God’s Word that the messiah would be a son of David as well as his Lord! (2nd Samuel 7:12, 13, 16)
The psalm is a prophetic picture of the messiah who would come from the line of David. This messiah would sit at God’s right hand and rule until the Lord God put all His enemies under His feet. The messiah would be made or declared a priest as well as a ruling king! These offices were not combined in the Old Testament history of God’s people. Up to this point, Melchizedek was the only person who was both a priest and a king. (Genesis 14:18-20) (Hebrews 5:5-10, 6:19-7:28) Melchizedek was the King of Salem (Peace) and a priest of the Most High God. The descendant of David who was to come would be a priest and king like Melchizedek!
Priests normally did not sit, but this King was seated at God’s right hand! We now know He was seated because His work of sacrifice on behalf of the people was completed! (Acts 5:31) (Ephesians 1:20) David had a revelation of the throne in heaven following the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Jesus is interceding for us as a priest before God, seated at His right hand! (Romans 8:34)
This King/Priest is ruling in the midst of His enemies now, waiting for them to bow their knees! (Psalm 11o:2,3) He is marshaling His troops for a day of battle! This King will judge nations and crush rulers of the earth! He will be refreshed after the battle and exalted as the King of Glory! (Psalm 110:7) Truly, this King is the Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, Son of David and David’s Lord!
Shout to the Lord!
Scripture reading for March 2nd: Mark 10:32-52, Psalms 45:1-17, Proverbs 10:22
How desperate are you to get the Lord’s attention? Would you be willing to make a scene to get Jesus to stop and touch you? Do you have to embarrass yourself or others to get His attention? In today’s reading, Mark describes an incident where a man was desperate enough to do whatever he could to reach Jesus.
“Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and His disciples, together with a large crowd were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (that is Son of Timaeus), was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”” (Mark 10:46-48)
Bartimaeus was blind and had to resort to begging to meet the needs that he had for life. When begging, a person’s pride must be set aside and they must humbly ask for mercy. A haughty person finds little sympathy and one who is too shy to even ask will have little chance of receiving. Bartimaeus learned to stay alive by asking people for help. He was blind and desperate and willing to ask!
When Bartimaeus heard that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by, he began to shout out his request for mercy. His blindness did not hinder him from knowing that Jesus was a ‘Son of David’, able to touch and heal him. His loud cries caused others to try and quiet him, but he pressed on in by shouting even louder! This ‘blind’ man could see with inner eyes of hope that Jesus was his only hope and would not be deterred!
Jesus called for him to come and Bartimaeus jumped to his feet and hurried to the Master. Jesus asked him what he wanted from Him. “The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.” “Go”, said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.” (Mark 10:51-52) Jesus had the man say exactly what he wanted. Sometimes people with disabilities only want money or provision, they do not want healing. We must be desperate for wholeness and clearly ask! If you have a need today, why not shout to the Lord? He is nearby!
God With Us!
Scripture reading for October 6th: Matthew 1-4
As we begin the New Testament, we are immediately made aware of Jesus Christ the son of David and son of Abraham! (Matthew 1:1) Matthew’s eye-witness account of the life of Jesus Christ starts with a genealogy of Jesus from Abraham to Joseph. There are 42 generations listed in this period of about 2000 years of history. Jesus is the central figure of the entire Bible and especially the New Testament. His birth, life on earth, sacrificial death, and resurrection from the dead are told by Matthew specifically for a Jewish audience who would appreciate the Old Testament and the various prophecies that Jesus fulfilled.
“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. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.” “All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel, which means, “God is with us”. (Matthew 1:20b-23) (Isaiah 7:14) We are introduced to a miraculous conception by the Holy Spirit uniting with a virgin named Mary. The child would be a son to be given the name “Jesus” which means “the Lord Saves”. This child would also be referred to as “Immanuel” which is “God with us”! All of this was foretold 700 years earlier by Isaiah the prophet. This conception nearly caused Joseph to call off the marriage! Imagine his surprise to find his promised bride pregnant! God visited him in a dream with an angel messenger to give him insight into the plan of God.
It so happened that Joseph and Mary had to travel to Bethlehem to pay taxes and during that visit Jesus was born. This was also no accident! “But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of My people Israel”. (Matthew 2:6) (Micah 5:2) Micah had spoken of the town in Judah where this ruler would originate. Bethlehem means “house of bread”. Jesus would be the living bread to nourish the whole world! God’s plans are established forever!