SON of DAVID

 

DECEMBER 18, 2023

Matthew 1:20-21

But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a Son, and you shall call His Name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins."

I have read this passage every year for as long as I can remember, but this year for some reason I noticed something that resulted in this question, “Why did the angel call Joseph "son of David"?

Now the obvious answer to this question is that God had promised many years before that the Messiah (God’s anointed one) would come from David's family line. We know that’s important because Matthew opens his Gospel with a genealogy of the Davidic line. Ending with, “Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, and Mary was the mother of Jesus who is called the Messiah.” As a son of David, Joseph would pass that standing to his legal son Jesus. That is a very good answer to my question, for sure.

It occurred to me though, that there might be more to it, important as that genealogical line is. Let’s think of David for a moment. He was known as the "man after God's own heart," the one who sinned deeply, but loved God just as deeply. If you follow David’s story in the Old Testament you will notice that when God guided David's life in strange new directions, David listened and followed. David relied on God's promises. Now in our reading today, the angel calls this son of David, Joseph, to an even stranger life, protecting and caring for God's own Son Jesus and His mother.

"Do not fear," the angel says. Implying that God will be with Joseph at every step of this journey. Talk about an overwhelming call, this Son that God is handing into Joseph's hands will be his Savior as well, so Joseph will have the privilege of saving his Savior, providing for his Provider. Joseph will name Him Jesus, this Child, God Himself, enters the world He created, to save. Perhaps, John summarizes this best when he recorded ^“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” Saves us from sin and provides everlasting life to all.

 
Help me to trust You, dear Lord, like Joseph and David did. Amen.

Michael Card, singer and song writer captures Joseph's reflection in the song below. Give it a listen.