June 29th Daily Devotion
A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW
WHO JESUS IS – PART 3
Matthew 1:1 “This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah the Son of David . . .”
There are at least 200, some say over 400 Messianic prophecies in the Old Testament. These prophecies are God’s promise He would send the Messiah, the Savior of the world. One of those prophecies was that the Messiah would be from the family line of David. (See Jeremiah 23:5-6) Being from David’s family line, Micah 5:2 prophesied He would be born in Bethlehem, “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” (Micah 5:2) At least six times Matthew’s gospel records someone addressing Jesus as “the Son of David.” When Jesus made His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the crowds that day shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” (Matthew 21:9)
The Son of David title given Jesus throughout His earthly life is much more than a simple statement regarding His physical lineage. With this title the people who used it acknowledged Jesus as the Messiah by referring to Him as the Son of David. The shout of the multitude on Palm Sunday was a cry for salvation. They were telling the world they believed Jesus had the power to forgive sins and save people from hell. The people, seeing Jesus enter Jerusalem riding on the foal of a donkey was in fulfillment of the words of prophecy in Zechariah 9:9 “Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” These people realized that the prophecy found in Zechariah 9:9 was fulfilled as the promised King arrived meek, “sitting upon a donkey – a colt the foal of a donkey.” For you, the title Son of David in reference to Jesus, is the Holy Scriptures assurance that Jesus is the one sent by God to take away the sins of the world. Most important for you, He came to provide you with the remission of sins and life everlasting. “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” (Matthew 21:9)
Prayer: Jesus, Son of David, I pray rule over my heart. Amen.
O little town of Bethlehem, How still we see thee lie!
Above Thy deep and dreamless sleep The silent stars go by;
Yet in thy dark streets shineth The everlasting light
The hopes and fears of all the years Are met in thee tonight.
For Christ is born of Mary, And, gathered all above
While mortals sleep, the angels keep Their watch of wond’ring love.
O morning stars, together Proclaim the holy birth,
And praises sing to God the king And peace to all the earth.
How silently, how silently The wondrous gift is giv’n!
So God imparts to human hearts The blessings of His heav’n.
No ear may hear His coming; But in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive Him, still The dear Christ enters in.
O holy Child of Bethlehem, Descend to us, we pray;
Cast out our sin, and enter in, Be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels The great glad tidings tell;
O come to us, abide with us, Our Lord Immanuel! (LSB 361)