That Jesus was of the house and lineage of David fulfilling the prophesy of Isaiah the prophet is considered so important that the book of Matthew begins with his family tree from Abraham through Jesse and David to Joseph his Father. Luke 3 follows his genealogy through Joseph back to David through Abraham to Shem and Noah to Seth son of Adam son of God. Matthew 3 is a reworking of the book of Mark and equates John the Baptist with the prophet Elijah who was swept living into heaven and his message is nearly a direct quote from Isaiah 40:3. Isaiah 11 speaks of the coming Messiah in allegorical terms. The people to whom this message was addressed have been oppressed by the Assyrians and are in need of deliverance. This scion of David will usher in a golden age of peace.
The Psalm is an enthronement hymn which adjures the king to rule justly and fairly so that his people may know prosperity.
Romans 15 describes a God of patience and comfort, hope, and peace. Once more a descendent of the house of Jesse is invoked and
various OT passages are quoted. What is made clear is that it will be the actions of God's people and their adherence to the teachings of Scripture that will serve to bring forth the promised golden age with God the Father and the Son as our inspiration empowered by the Holy Spirit.
In Matthew John comes preaching a baptism of repentance. The people must turn away from their sins in preparation for the coming Messiah. We must not be complacent in the belief that our being Jews and ancestors of Abraham or even Christians will save us from the wrath to come. To John's way of thinking the acceptance of God's grace is hollow and empty if it is not accompanied by a repentant turning away from our past sinful ways. If we confess our sins and receive forgiveness and then return to the same behaviours we make a mockery of God's grace. The sophistry of the Pharisees and Sadducees is described in rather colourful terms. It is not enough to appear righteous and cloak oneself in holy observance, one must live it in one's daily life.
In summary David, son of Jesse, is anointed king while a simple shepherd boy and is forced to flee the wrath of Saul. Jesus is son of Joseph, a carpenter who has to flee the wrath of Herod to save his child. King David's Reign was the golden age of Israel. The birth of a Messiah of David's line is prophesied as ushering in another golden age. While King David's reign was responsible for Israel's earthly prosperity Jesus Kingdom is a Spiritual one and his Kingdom is accomplished by a change in the hearts and minds of his believers. In looking toward the birth of this Messiah we must search our lives and our consciences to see what changes we need to make to prepare our hearts to receive this child.
The Psalm is an enthronement hymn which adjures the king to rule justly and fairly so that his people may know prosperity.
Romans 15 describes a God of patience and comfort, hope, and peace. Once more a descendent of the house of Jesse is invoked and
various OT passages are quoted. What is made clear is that it will be the actions of God's people and their adherence to the teachings of Scripture that will serve to bring forth the promised golden age with God the Father and the Son as our inspiration empowered by the Holy Spirit.
In Matthew John comes preaching a baptism of repentance. The people must turn away from their sins in preparation for the coming Messiah. We must not be complacent in the belief that our being Jews and ancestors of Abraham or even Christians will save us from the wrath to come. To John's way of thinking the acceptance of God's grace is hollow and empty if it is not accompanied by a repentant turning away from our past sinful ways. If we confess our sins and receive forgiveness and then return to the same behaviours we make a mockery of God's grace. The sophistry of the Pharisees and Sadducees is described in rather colourful terms. It is not enough to appear righteous and cloak oneself in holy observance, one must live it in one's daily life.
In summary David, son of Jesse, is anointed king while a simple shepherd boy and is forced to flee the wrath of Saul. Jesus is son of Joseph, a carpenter who has to flee the wrath of Herod to save his child. King David's Reign was the golden age of Israel. The birth of a Messiah of David's line is prophesied as ushering in another golden age. While King David's reign was responsible for Israel's earthly prosperity Jesus Kingdom is a Spiritual one and his Kingdom is accomplished by a change in the hearts and minds of his believers. In looking toward the birth of this Messiah we must search our lives and our consciences to see what changes we need to make to prepare our hearts to receive this child.
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