Mary answered, “Look, I am the Lord’s servant; grant me what you have commanded.” And the angel left her behind. Luke 1:38
In the biblical narrative, the Israelites held fast to the expectation of the arrival of their promised King. This rightful monarch came [from King David’s family] (John 1:49; Luke 1:30-33). In addition to fulfilling their original mission on earth—to spread God’s glory across the world—he came to provide happiness and peace to his people (Luke 2:10; 2:14; Genesis 1:26-28).
The promise
We are aware that King David’s lineage gave rise to Israel’s legal monarchy. David was promised an eternal throne as part of a covenant that God had made with him (2 Samuel 7:1-17). It appeared as though the Davidic kingship would only get worse after this agreement. The populace was beginning to lose faith in a just monarchy. But the prophets of the Old Testament foretold the arrival of the Righteous King descended from David, who would redeem God’s people (Jeremiah 30:9; Ezekiel 34:24; Micah 5:2).
Fulfillment
God’s perfect timing dictates that Jesus was born as a baby in the little-known Judean town of Bethlehem, the birthplace of King David. In addition to being God, He was a human. He was thus given the name IMMANUEL, which means “God with us” (Matthew 1:23; see also Isaiah 7:14). This mystery—that is, God becoming man—is known as the INCARNATION (John 1:14). The ultimate Davidic King was the heavenly and everlasting King. Through his life, death, and resurrection, He restored his people’s relationship with God and provided them true peace and joy after they had been damaged by sin. The people’s calling to magnify our Creator across the world was also fulfilled as a result of their restored communication with Him (2 Corinthians 5:17; Romans 5:1).
His people
I want to talk about the individuals that God used—Mary and Joseph—in order for God the Son to take on human form. They were both David’s descendants. Jesus’ birth was a miraculous event, but there was also human influence. Mary was our Lord’s biological mother, and Joseph was his legal father even though he had no biological influence over the Savior’s conception. Jesus was therefore a legitimate and biological descendant of David.
We sense in them both a willingness to submit to God and carry out their Lord’s will in the face of a challenging and unfathomable circumstance. While Mary simply said, “Let it be to me according to your word,” when she learned she would become the mother of the Son of the Most High, Joseph, after the angel revealed to him in a dream, submitted, followed the Lord’s instructions, and took Mary as his wife (Matthew 1:24). It was only because God was at work in them that they were able to surrender to God’s will.
What does this story teach us?
It is a good idea to reflect on this momentous occasion throughout the Christmas season: the coming of the Davidic King, who came to free us from the bonds of sin and restore our relationship with God. He makes it possible for us to be a chosen people (Acts 9:15; 2 Timothy 2:21), a people of God’s Kingdom, a chosen race, a royal priesthood, and a holy nation (1 Peter 2:9), called to bear the glory of God throughout the world. Let us adopt Mary’s cry, “Let your word be fulfilled in me!”
Merry Christmas!
