The angel Gabriel said to Mary, “You will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David” (Luke 1:31, 32).
David’s name comes up in the advent of Christ because of a promise God made a long ago. God promised that he would establish the throne of David’s offspring forever (2 Samuel 7:13). There would only ever be one dynasty in Israel, and it would be the royal line of David.
It had been a long time since a descendant of David had ruled over God’s people. 586 years to be exact. That’s how many years before this Babylon had invaded and destroyed Jerusalem and deported its inhabitants. While they would return and rebuild the city and its temple, they wouldn’t really have a king again until Jesus. And just like God said, his kingdom would last forever.
Wise men would later arrive, seeking to worship the king of the Jews. Jesus would be hailed as king when he rode into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. Pilate would challenge Jesus, “Are you the king?”
We usually picture Jesus in a manger, on a cross, with the children, or maybe walking on the water. But do you picture him on a throne? Jesus never really assumes the throne until his ascension. Just before that, Jesus said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” Sounds kingly to me. That picture of Jesus comes to us courtesy of David, a king after God’s own heart.
Thank you, God, for giving us a king like Jesus. Amen.
Waite for it... 