Greetings, siblings,
This weekend, many of us will observe Pentecost, the birthday of the church. Pentecost is 50 days after the resurrection, and though Ascension has passed, here is one more resurrection reminder for us. Consider Today’s Holy Nougat.
2 Timothy 2:8-9 NIV
[8] Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, [9] for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained.
Descended from David
Did you notice that Matthew 1 and Luke 3 have something in common? Yes. They both offer us information about Y’shua Jesus’ genealogy. The accounts vary somewhat, and some theologians propose that one speaks of Joseph’s lineage, the other, Mary’s. That may indeed be the case, but what is most certain is that the accounts of His lineage point to David as Y’shua’s ancestor. Luke 3:31-32 and Matthew 1:5-6 both corroborate this.
One could be inclined to ask what’s so important about that, especially since it was only in 1993 that ‘proof’ of a king of Israel called David was confirmed. This was the Tel Dan Stele, which was found in northern Israel, and speaks to the victory of the King of Aram over the King of Israel and his ally, the King of the ‘House of David’ (i.e., David’s heirs). The stone is dated to approximately 9th century BCE. Siblings, this is somewhat exciting. For it then says that those lineages, or the begats, as I often call them, carry historical validity. This stele aligns with 2 Kings 6:8 – 7:20, which outlines the details of a war between Aram, Israel, and Judah.
Self-Check
Does the proof of David’s existence have any bearing on your faith? How so/Why not?
Application
Now that we’ve confirmed the reality of David’s existence, we can better appreciate the significance of the call to remember that Jesus, David’s descendant, was resurrected. David was promised an eternal kingdom, ‘a house in God’s name …’. Siblings, Y’shua Jesus, was that Son of David to establish the eternal kingdom! We are heirs to that eternal Kingdom.
Now, if God fulfilled the promise to David 28 generations (nearly 900 years) later; Timothy and the elders had the assurance that Jesus, Who rose from the dead, would also fulfil His promise to us.
What was that promise, you might ask? The one I’m focusing on is the one that directly applied to David and us. Jesus assured His disciples: In My Father’s house are many dwelling places … I am going [there] to prepare a place for you [us also]. And … I will come back again and I will take you to myself, so that where I am you may be also. (John 14:2-3)
Thus, we understand our Nougat assuring us that Y’shua’s promises can be trusted. In His resurrection, we find proof that He will return. The Tel Dan Stele assures us, you and me, that there’s proof. I’m jokingly saying Tell Them Stele, (i.e., tell them who need some proof). Hallelujah!
Point to Ponder
Ultimately, our Faith is exactly that. It is about our willingness to believe – without proof – that Jesus died, rose, ascended, sent the Holy Spirit, and will come again. What do we believe?
Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Selah
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May all we seek be found in Christ
