But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 1:20)

Son Of David

The birth of Jesus is central to the Bible’s theme. When Gabriel came to Mary and told her she would have a son, the angel of God declared that with God nothing was impossible. When Joseph discovered his wife was pregnant, he wanted to put her away quietly, not wanting to make her a public example. But while he thought about these things, God sent His angel to reassure Joseph that Mary would bear the Son of God into the world, fulfilling the words of Isaiah the prophet that a virgin would be with child and bear a Son. The child would be called Immanuel, which is translated, “God with us.” When Mary gave birth to her son, they called him Jesus.

Names were very important and symbolized a relationship with God. Jesus was called the “Son of David, the Son of Abraham.” On numerous occasions, the people called Jesus the son of David, recognizing His lineage to King David. It was in the heart of David to build a house for the Lord, but he was forbidden because he was a man of war and had blood on his hands. What God established through David was the fulfillment of the promise made in the Garden of Eden to send a Seed to redeem the world. Jesus was known as the “Son of David” through the divine plan of redemption to be the sacrificial lamb of God.

There are over 17 references to Jesus as the “Son of David” in scripture, all of which apply to Him except for one. When the angel spoke with Joseph about the birth of Jesus, the angel called Joseph the “Son of David.” No other man was ever referenced in this manner in scripture. David had more than nine wives and more than 20 children, with 28 generations between David and Joseph. The angel called Joseph the “Son of David” as a reminder of those who share in the spiritual lineage of God’s promise made in Eden and the promises made to Abraham. God promised Abraham that in him the world would be blessed. Through the seed of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the Lord God unveiled His divine plan to bring Jesus into the world to redeem sinful man. The promise made to David pointed to the establishment of the spiritual family found in the New Testament church.

Every New Testament Christian is a child of Abraham and a son of David. Those who are of faith are sons of Abraham. The Jew and the Gentile find salvation through the promises of Abraham and David to be called the “Sons of David.” God promised David that He would establish His throne forever. This promise came about when Jesus said He would build His church. Jesus is seated on the throne of David, the throne of Jehovah, and the throne of Israel at the right hand of the throne of God. The sure mercies and blessings of David are found in Christ. All spiritual blessings are found in Christ because God’s people are sons of Abraham and David.

When Jesus told the story of the rich man and Lazarus, He called the place of eternal rest the “bosom of Abraham.” Eternal life is realized through the spiritual lineage of Abraham and David, in which the saved are called the “Sons of David.” The angel called Joseph the Son of David because of his special place in bringing the Son of God into the world. In the New Testament church, the saved are called the “Sons of David” through the spiritual lineage of grace. Heritage means everything to the child of God. Praise God that we can be called the children of Abraham and sons of David.