The Messiah from the House of David

by Maria Rudolph

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‘… O Sovereign Lord, you have also spoken about the future of the house of your servant [David]. Is this your usual way of dealing with man, O Sovereign Lord?’ (2 Samuel 7:19)

Read 2 Samuel 7:18–29

A common question to ask my confirmation class is: ‘How many gospels are there and what are they called?’

‘Four! Matthew, Mark, Luke and John!’

A boy who was eager to get his hands on a Bible opened the first page of the New Testament in anticipation. He looked up with a furrowed brow and said, ‘Pastor, there’s a big, long list of names right at the beginning!’

Too right. The first page of the New Testament, Matthew, chapter 1, is chock-a-block full of complicated names. However, at a closer reading, this list of names tells us many stories, more than we could fit into one single confirmation lesson.

We learn that the Anointed One, Jesus the Messiah, God made flesh, came from a line of real people. King David himself is in that list. But having lived about one thousand years before the birth of Jesus, David had absolutely no idea what God’s ultimate plan of salvation through Jesus would look like.

God simply revealed to David, who was humbly submitting to God’s guidance:

When your days are over and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring … and I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever (2 Samuel 7:12,13).

On the one hand, David’s son Solomon would become the one to build a magnificent temple to the Lord, one that would stand for about 410 years! On the other hand, ultimately, God would bring Jesus up from the line of David, whose kingdom still stands today!

Jesus was the temple that was destroyed and built up again in three days (John 2:19) – in his resurrection. All this was beyond King David. But he simply submitted himself to God and trusted in God’s plan for his life, despite not understanding it.

Can you do the same? Hand over your plans to God, and trust him to lead you in the right paths. Check in with God to ensure you are in tune with where he wants you to go. You can’t go wrong when you seek God’s guidance – even if you can’t understand the ultimate plan. Trust God with those details.

Loving God, I seek your guidance today. Show me the right path and help me discern the direction you want me to go. I am in your hands – do with your servant as you please. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Pastor Maria serves at St John’s Lutheran Church Perth in Western Australia. She is blessed with her pastor husband, Michael, who serves at Concordia Lutheran Church, Duncraig. With God’s help, they navigate ministry across two parishes and life at home with two beautiful primary-school-aged kids and one amazing high schooler. Pastor Maria also serves the Lutheran Church on the Commission on Theology and Inter-Church Relations.

Seeking the Lord first

by Maria Rudolph

Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.

He [David] said to Nathan the prophet, ‘Here I am, living in a palace of cedar, while the ark of God remains in a tent’ (2 Samuel 7:2).

Read 2 Samuel 7:1–17

The reason David was such a great king of Israel and Judah was that he put God first. We all know that David also had some significant slip-ups, for which he would suffer the consequences.

However, today, we see a prime example of what makes David a great role model: David considers his future in consultation with the Lord. Instead of rushing on ahead and doing what he thinks is best, his first move is to bring his ideas before God. And Nathan the prophet confirms God’s green light: ‘Whatever you have in mind, go ahead and do it, for the Lord is with you’ (2 Samuel 7:3).

This stands in stark contrast to King Saul, who grieved God by rushing ahead according to what he thought was best (1 Samuel 15:1–31). In the end, Saul paid a high price for ignoring God: it cost him his kingship and, eventually, his life.

We are not dissimilar to King David in that we strive to follow God, and we have some significant slip-ups at times, too. Let us be encouraged today by David’s conduct in seeking God first. This requires some patient waiting on our part, usually exactly when all we want to do is rush ahead and ‘get on with it’. Be intentional like David in presenting your plans to God or God’s people; be ready to listen to what God has to say. God will guide you well.

Guide me, O my great Redeemer. Be a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Not my will, but your will be done. Let me follow your way. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Pastor Maria serves at St John’s Lutheran Church Perth in Western Australia. She is blessed with her pastor husband, Michael, who serves at Concordia Lutheran Church, Duncraig. With God’s help, they navigate ministry across two parishes and life at home with two beautiful primary-school-aged kids and one amazing high schooler. Pastor Maria also serves the Lutheran Church on the Commission on Theology and Inter-Church Relations.

Jesus comes looking for you

by Maria Rudolph

Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.

For the Son of Man came to seek and save what was lost (Luke 19:10).

Read Luke 19:1–10

A very particular song is playing in my head every time I read the story of Zacchaeus. Maybe it’s the same for you! Children’s Bible storybooks usually include the story of the short tax collector from Jericho who scrambles to see Jesus by climbing up a sycamore fig tree.

I’ve always thought of Zacchaeus putting in effort to be with Jesus. And he probably did. But do we realise that Jesus is actually the one seeking out Zacchaeus in this story? Jesus declares in conclusion of this story that he ‘came to seek and save what was lost’.

Zacchaeus was lost – a despised tax collector who had cheated people over the years – and called a ‘sinner’ by the muttering crowd. It must have left him in despair, because he was drawn to Jesus, so much so that he ran ahead of everyone else so he could find a spot to see him. He wanted to be free of his worries. Perhaps he had gotten word that Jesus taught in his Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6:33), ‘Seek first God’s kingdom and God’s righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.’ Zacchaeus was seeking God’s kingdom: Jesus.

But the amazing thing about Jesus is that while we are out looking for him, for an encounter with God, for spiritual enlightenment, or for some way to fill the inexplicable void inside of us, Jesus is already seeking us out! Jesus not only saves the lost, but he also seeks them first.

Jesus takes the first step and invites himself over for dinner before Zacchaeus can say anything to Jesus at all. ‘You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit – fruit that will last’ (John 15:16). Jesus seeking out Zacchaeus gives him a generous heart of compassion; it brings him salvation. (Luke 19:9). Jesus comes looking for you, too, bringing salvation. All you need to do is receive.

Loving God, we give thanks with a grateful heart. We give thanks for Jesus Christ. The weak can say ‘I am strong’, the poor can say ‘I am rich’, and the blind can say ‘I can see’ because of what you have done for us in Jesus. Thank you for looking for us and for finding us. Give us a receptive heart so that we can keep on coming to you, too. In Jesus’ name, Amen.