The Everlasting King
Waiting for Light to Come | Erik Reed
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, AND HE WILL REIGN OVER THE HOUSE OF JACOB FOREVER, AND OF HIS KINGDOM THERE WILL BE NO END. LUKE 1:32-33 (ESV)
The people of Israel expected a Messiah who would come from the house of David. The Son of David was a title to identify this figure. He would be more than a ruler of Israel, He would reign as King of kings of all the earth and Redeemer of sinful men. Paul stood before the people in Antioch (Acts 13:23) and told them, “Of this man’s offspring God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, as he promised.” The promised one of Israel is a Savior. And His name is Jesus.
The LORD promised to David that he would never lack a descendant on his throne. His kingdom would be never-ending (2 Samuel 7:16). In Isaiah 11:1 we remember the promise of God to David when Isaiah (Isaiah 11:1) says, “There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.” Jeremiah 23:5 expounds, “Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In His days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which He will be called: ‘The LORD is our righteousness.’”
In our passage today, we see the angel Gabriel tell young Mary that the child she carries will be great. They will call Him Son of the Most High, signifying His deity. Gabriel says God is giving him the throne of his father David. Jesus is the promised Son of David who fulfills the promise to David of a throne with no end.
Who is this righteous Branch from David who will reign as king, execute justice, and save his people? Matthew opens his Gospel with the genealogy of Jesus, declaring He is the Son of David. By calling Him the Son of David he is signifying to his readers that this is the promised heir. This is the Righteous Branch of whom the prophets foretold. He is the true king from the line of David whose rule and reign will never end. This is why people call Jesus the King of kings. He is rightful heir of David’s throne, and his kingdom has no end. He sits enthroned even now at the right hand of the Father, King over every nation, tribe, and tongue. The advent of the Savior, the Son of the Most High, was the coming of a king whose reign has no end.
Questions for Reflection
This advent devotion, Waiting for Light to Come, was written by Erik Reed and borrowed with permission from Knowing Jesus Ministries. You can find the original publication and more information at https://www.knowingjesusministries.co
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, AND HE WILL REIGN OVER THE HOUSE OF JACOB FOREVER, AND OF HIS KINGDOM THERE WILL BE NO END. LUKE 1:32-33 (ESV)
The people of Israel expected a Messiah who would come from the house of David. The Son of David was a title to identify this figure. He would be more than a ruler of Israel, He would reign as King of kings of all the earth and Redeemer of sinful men. Paul stood before the people in Antioch (Acts 13:23) and told them, “Of this man’s offspring God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, as he promised.” The promised one of Israel is a Savior. And His name is Jesus.
The LORD promised to David that he would never lack a descendant on his throne. His kingdom would be never-ending (2 Samuel 7:16). In Isaiah 11:1 we remember the promise of God to David when Isaiah (Isaiah 11:1) says, “There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.” Jeremiah 23:5 expounds, “Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In His days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which He will be called: ‘The LORD is our righteousness.’”
In our passage today, we see the angel Gabriel tell young Mary that the child she carries will be great. They will call Him Son of the Most High, signifying His deity. Gabriel says God is giving him the throne of his father David. Jesus is the promised Son of David who fulfills the promise to David of a throne with no end.
Who is this righteous Branch from David who will reign as king, execute justice, and save his people? Matthew opens his Gospel with the genealogy of Jesus, declaring He is the Son of David. By calling Him the Son of David he is signifying to his readers that this is the promised heir. This is the Righteous Branch of whom the prophets foretold. He is the true king from the line of David whose rule and reign will never end. This is why people call Jesus the King of kings. He is rightful heir of David’s throne, and his kingdom has no end. He sits enthroned even now at the right hand of the Father, King over every nation, tribe, and tongue. The advent of the Savior, the Son of the Most High, was the coming of a king whose reign has no end.
Questions for Reflection
- Why did Israel want a king? What role do kings play?
- What promise does God give David about his kingdom? How was David different than Saul?
- Why did Israel anticipate the coming of an heir from David?
- Why should the truth that Jesus’ kingdom has no end bring us confidence in a chaotic world?
This advent devotion, Waiting for Light to Come, was written by Erik Reed and borrowed with permission from Knowing Jesus Ministries. You can find the original publication and more information at https://www.knowingjesusministries.co
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