Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

 ³⁷  “David himself calls Him ‘Lord’; so in what sense is He his son?”  And the large crowd enjoyed listening to Him.”  Mark 12:35-37. 

We know the importance of Jesus Christ being God.  What is the importance of Jesus Christ being “the son of David”? 

Jesus had to also be “very man”.

In a recent devotion, we read Question and Answer 15 of The Heidelberg Catechism:

Q. 15. What sort of a mediator and deliverer then must we seek for?
A. For one who is very man, and perfectly righteous;  and yet more powerful than all creatures; that is, one who is also very God.  (Emphasis added.)

Hebrews 2:14-18 states:  “Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives.  For assuredly He does not give help to angels, but He gives help to the descendant of Abraham.  Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.  For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted.”

We can now understand why Jesus Christ had to be “very man”, but why did Jesus Christ have to specifically be “the son of David”?

To fulfill God’s purpose and promise, Jesus Christ had to also be king and inherit the kingdom of his ancestor David.

Isaiah 9:6-7 states:                                                                                                                                “For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us;
         And the government will rest on His shoulders;
         And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
         Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. 
 There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace,
         On the throne of David and over his kingdom,
         To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness
         From then on and forevermore 
         The zeal of the LORD of hosts will accomplish this.”

Jeremiah 33:14-18 states:  ” ‘Behold, days are coming,’ declares the LORD, ‘when I will fulfill the good word which I have spoken concerning the house of Israel and the house of Judah.  ‘In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch of David to spring forth; and He shall execute justice and righteousness on the earth.  ‘In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will dwell in safety; and this is the name by which she will be called: the LORD is our righteousness.’  “For thus says the LORD, ‘David shall never lack a man to sit on the throne of the house of Israel;  and the Levitical priests shall never lack a man before Me to offer burnt offerings, to burn grain offerings and to prepare sacrifices continually.'”

Ezekiel 37:24-28 states:  “My servant David will be king over them, and they will all have one shepherd; and they will walk in My ordinances and keep My statutes and observe them.  “They will live on the land that I gave to Jacob My servant, in which your fathers lived; and they will live on it, they, and their sons and their sons’ sons, forever; and David My servant will be their prince forever.  “I will make a covenant of peace with them; it will be an everlasting covenant with them And I will place them and multiply them, and will set My sanctuary in their midst forever.  “My dwelling place also will be with them; and I will be their God, and they will be My people.  “And the nations will know that I am the LORD who sanctifies Israel, when My sanctuary is in their midst forever.”‘”

Mark 11:10
“Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David;  Hosanna in the highest!”