A Matter of Lineage
“So if David calls him Lord, how is he his son?” Matthew 22:45
The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution is a federally chartered lineage-based membership service organization for women who are directly descended from a patriot of the American Revolution. The DAR was founded in 1890. They have dedicated themselves to historical preservation, promotion of education, and encouragement of patriotic endeavor. Membership is restricted to female descendants of the founding fathers of our country. Not long ago they were in the news because they were having a dispute about “what constitutes a daughter.” The organization remains very proud of their lineage.
Jesus was in the Temple. It seems that whenever Jesus was in the Temple his enemies were always there observing. Sometimes they even asked Jesus questions. In Matthew 22:41 Jesus asked the Pharisees a question. “What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?” They said to him, “The Son of David.”
They knew the prophecies. The Messiah had to be a descendant of David. The Old Testament makes that very clear. Jesus continues, quoting Psalm 110:1 where David wrote: “The Lord said to my Lord, ‘Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet’?”
Jesus asks a probing question: “So if David calls him Lord, how is he his son?” Our answer is the difference between life and death. Jesus enemies refused to answer. Was the answer too difficult? I suppose by human logic it is. But by faith the answer is a wonderful confession of faith. Yes, the Messiah is both, the son of David and the Son of God. It is a matter of lineage. Jesus the Son of God becomes the son of David to be our brother. The promise is fulfilled. A wonderful and eternal lineage is established.
Lord Jesus, what a privilege to call you, my Brother. Thank you for the victory that you have won and given to me by faith. Amen.