Of David
In my last blog we looked at how the gospel of Jesus was foretold and promised in many ways, from the beginning, throughout the holy scriptures.
One aspect of the messianic prophecies in scripture is that of the lineage of David.
We see early on in the first section of the first Gospel (Matthew who was writing to convince the Jews particularly) that Jesus' lineage is traced back through Joseph, to David and to Abraham.
Matthew established a strong connection with Jesus as a child of the promise and, as a Jew. Luke, in his gospel, traces Jesus back through Mary, also to David and, significantly, to Adam.
These things are not coincidences, neither in the events, nor in the writing.
Luke is telling us that Jesus is human.
Matthew is telling us that Jesus is the Messiah.
Paul is telling us both.
In Matthew 21 We see the Triumphal procession, whereby the people all cry out;
“Hosanna to the Son of David!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”[c]
“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
This is a direct quote from Psalm 118:25-26 which indicates that the people were effectively acknowledging him as their Messiah. Sadly it has to be said that their expectations of salvation were limited primarily to the expulsion of the Romans and the regaining of Jewish independence. Little did they know that Jesus came for the expulsion of sin and the gaining of true freedom.
However, it is clear that Jesus, on both sides, was a descendent of David. Paul includes this for two reasons. Firstly he is linking Jesus (and rooting his commendation of him) to the promise from scripture.
He is the one.
The one who was promised.
Secondly that in nature he was human. The NIV, quoted above, says 'as to his earthly life'. The NKJV says 'According to the flesh'.
I understand about the NIV's squeamishness over this. There are all sorts of implications. When it comes to Christ's humanity it is difficult to clearly navigate the unchartered waters of the sea of mystery surrounding the incarnation. Where does God end and man begin. How human was human?
I cannot definitively give my answer, but I understand the implication of Jesus being human. And Paul lays it out here in a way that at first glance could seem to be dualistic. If we had no other scripture to go by, it could here be implied that Christ only had a human body and yet a divine spirit.
And of course, the human body is subject to sin, and sinful desires.
I think the NIV is trying to distance itself a little from this. The word 'flesh' is fastidiously avoided.
But one of my favourite descriptions of Jesus comes from Hebrews.
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet he did not sin.
And what does tempted in every way mean?
If Jesus was truly holy surely sin would not have been a temptation to him?
Ah, but he was/is human. He had/has a human body. That body had needs. Those needs were at times in opposition to God's purposes.
He got hungry.
He got tired.
He felt lonely.
He felt desire.
And yet without sin.
Hallelujah. How amazing??
He was fully man and yet at no point did he ever cease to be fully God.
The key to this we will look at tomorrow but is hinted at in my opening verse; who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead.
But here is the thought for today. Whatever we face today, whatever we go through, whatever tempts us, Jesus has been there. He understands. He sympathises, he empathises. He walked where you walk.
And he has made a way, for us to come to God, without condemnation or fear, but to boldly approach the throne of grace to receive help in your time of need,
This day,
And all days,
Amen.
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