LIVING WATERS
For the proclamation of the Gospel and the edification of the Body of Christ
What Is His Name?
The Son of David
Harry Foster
The Israelites feared Moses but they loved David. He was their great ruler, but he was also their beloved friend. He was the Old Testament "King of Love". Sadly enough in subsequent history his dynasty fell on evil days until by New Testament times it had lost all semblance of [59/60] royalty, but even so everybody knew that God had promised David "sure mercies", and so all believed that ultimately One would appear who would be the true seed of David, not only in genealogy but in spiritual succession (Psalm 89:35-37).
Then came the Roman census, miraculously timed by God's over-ruling providence to ensure that the long-awaited Son of David should be born in Bethlehem, David's city (Luke 2:11). Gabriel had told Mary that her child was destined to inherit David's throne, with an endless and unlimited kingdom (Luke 1:32-33) and Zacharias had proclaimed that the babe in the virgin's womb represented the fulfillment of all the Old Testament prophecies "in the house of his servant David" (Luke 1:69).
As Jesus grew up He showed no intention of adapting Himself to a merely nationalistic or earthly form of sovereignty, yet He allowed Himself to be addressed as the Son of David without protest (Matthew 9:27 & 20:30-31). It seems that the people found in Him such a combination of kindness and authority that they felt that the most fitting title for Him was the Son of David (Matthew 12:23).
As his life's work moved towards its culmination He was welcomed as the Son of David both by the crowds in the streets of Jerusalem and by the children who cried out their hosannas to Him in the temple (Matthew 21:9 & 15). He accepted this title, for He had every right to it, but in a memorable encounter with His critics He proved that He was David's Lord as well as David's Son (Matthew 22:42-45). So by this double reference to David greater emphasis is given to Christ's kingship -- He is the true King of Love.
His kingship is universal, for it is intimately involved in that gospel which is the power of God to all the nations, including the Jews (Romans 1:3). The gospel is the good news that Christ has been raised from the dead to be our KING as well as our Savior. This was the essence of what Paul liked to describe as 'his' gospel, the fact that the Davidic promises have been guaranteed to all believers everywhere by the resurrection of Jesus Christ. We are all involved in those "sure mercies of David" (Acts 13:34) and must be careful always to remember the universal kingship of our risen Lord (2 Timothy 2:8).
The modern nation of Israel would re-act with scandalized contempt at the idea of the rule of Jesus Christ making them the central nation of the earth, and yet this is what is destined to take place. Earthly Israel is included, too, in that vast cosmic kingdom of the great Son of David; the smaller expression in a limited sphere of Palestine having its proper place in the larger context of the Son's universal rule. Unlike blinded Israel, we have had our eyes opened to know the Lord of the churches as He who has "the key of David" (Revelation 3:7).
After the conquest of Jerusalem in A.D. 70, the Roman authorities were so anxious to ensure that the Jews should never have another claimant to their throne that they gave orders that all who were left of David's lineage should be hunted down and put to death. They were too late! Resurrection had already put David's Heir beyond the reach of man and devil. So while some poor unfortunates of that royal family were being hounded down and murdered, the great Son of David was already installed on His throne in heaven. The Lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, had received the title deeds of God's universe (Revelation 5:5).
Israel's hope and ours is the coming again in glory of the great King. He who is "the root and offspring of David" is also "the bright and morning star" whose last word to the churches was "Surely I come quickly". Knowing Him as the Son of David we gladly answer, "Even so comes Lord Jesus" (Revelation 22:16 & 20).