Articles
Son of David - Matthew 22
Son of David - Matthew 22
David, the great king of Israel, was a man after God’s own heart. God made a covenant with him that his seed would rule forever. This promise was repeated throughout the OT after David.
It posed a problem for Israel during the captivity period as the throne ‘sat empty’ and they were enslaved by Babylon. Where was this promise? Where was the Davidic king? For example, Psalm 89 poses the perplexing question: WHERE is this king? He is YET to come, said the prophets! See Isa. 9:7; 11:1; Jer 23:5–6. As Jeremiah promised, they returned from captivity, but were without a king of the sons of David. Thus, they were to abide for hundreds of years. Yet, the faithfulness of God is not to be judged by man’s years. The opening line of the New Testament: “The record of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham” (Matthew 1:1) Luke records the angel as promising that this child, Jesus, would be given the throne of His father David (Luke 1:31-33). This brought on an even bigger expectation as Jesus preached that “the time was fulfilled, the kingdom of heaven was at hand” (Mark 1:14-15).
We watch as the hope in Jesus as the promised son of David grows. This was a common Messianic title in Matthew (cf. 9:27; 12:23; 15:22; 20:30; 21:9, 15) and is used repeatedly concerning Jesus.
Two problems are encountered with this. The first one is introduced by Jesus. If the Christ is David’s son, how can he be David’s LORD? For believers in Jesus, this is not a big problem for it is answered by the incarnation: He was God, He became flesh, born of the seed of David. (cp. Matt. 22:41-46).
The second problem was his ruling forever and YET he would die. The Jews brought this up as Jesus foretold his coming death: “The crowd then answered Him, "We have heard out of the Law that the Christ is to remain forever; and how can You say, 'The Son of Man must be lifted up'? Who is this Son of Man?" (John 12:34, compare Ps 2:9; 72:8; Dan 7:13, 14).
The rejection of the Messiah was difficult for them to reconcile with their picture of a great Davidic king that would rule over the kings of the earth. Again, for believers in the resurrection of Jesus, this is readily reconciled. He would first be rejected and crucified, then He would be raised and enter into His glory.
Peter masterfully harmonizes these two events in his sermon in Acts 2. The messiah /King would both die and be raised. He concludes: "Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ—this Jesus whom you crucified." (Acts 2:36)
He was raised to sit on the right hand of God, on the throne of David. He was given all authority both in heaven and upon earth. He sat down on the throne of His father and is king of kings and lord of lords (Rev. 17:14; 1 Tim 6:15; Rev 19:16). He rules now even though it is in the midst of his enemies (Ps. 110:2). He will continue to rule until the last enemy (death) is destroyed and all of His enemies are subjugated to Him. Every knee WILL bow and every tongue will confess that He is LORD (Phil. 2:9-11).
Do you acknowledge Him as King? Are you serving Him?
Hugh DeLong
