The Personal Impact of Prophecy: From King David to Christ

Prophecy: The seed of David will be exalted.

How well I remember the frustration of Freida. This energetic, Jewish 30-year-old couldn’t grasp how anyone would think the promised Messiah of the Old Testament was the Jesus of the New Testament.

Freida emphatically said, “Twice I was told to read the Gospel of John, which I’ve now read three times . . . but it’s done nothing for me!”

“Oh!” I responded, “The four Gospels in the New Testament are actually four biographies of the life of Jesus. The very first Gospel, which means ‘good news,’ was penned by Matthew, a Jew, and written to the Jews about a Jew named Jesus! Matthew wrote to reveal Jesus as the Messiah (the Hebrew word for Anointed One). This Gospel presents many Old Testament prophecies predicting the coming of the Christ (the Greek word for Anointed One), who would enter history to bring salvation.”

“So, Freida, you need to read the Gospel of Matthew.” And, that did it! By seeing many references recording how Jesus fulfilled specific Old Testament prophecies, she recognized that Israel’s long-awaited Messiah had indeed come. After receiving Him as her Lord and Savior, Freida became a “Messianic Jew,” and her life was forever fulfilled.

Interestingly, the New Testament begins and ends with a declaration of the Jewish lineage of Jesus through King David. In fact, the very first truth we learn about Jesus in the opening verse of the New Testament declares, “This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David” (Matthew 1:1); and in the final chapter of the New Testament Jesus states, “I am the root and the offspring of David” (Revelation 22:16).

Likewise, in the first chapter of the Gospel of Luke, this Gentile physician mirrors Matthew in describing Jesus: “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David” (Luke 1:32). Even the apostle Paul made this pronouncement, “Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descendant of David” (2 Timothy 2:8, see also Romans 1:3).

So, why is Jesus’ connection to David so significant in the New Testament? And what does it mean for our lives today? Consider these three truths:

1. God is sovereign. God’s promise to David in 2 Samuel 7:12-13 is crystal clear: “When your days are complete and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your descendant after you . . . and I will establish His Kingdom . . . forever.” This kingdom reminds us that God is in control of all history. 

Realize, after God’s promise to David, it was roughly 1,000 years until it was fulfilled at Jesus’ birth! Therefore, you can trust in God’s power to carry out His plan for your life.

2. God is faithful. Despite David’s significant sins and frequent failures, God never abandoned him. Speaking to David, “The Lord Almighty says: ‘I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, to be ruler over My people Israel. I have been with you wherever you have gone’” (2 Samuel 7:8-9a).

This serves as a wonderful reminder: Even when you stumble and fall, God will never abandon you. He says, “I will never [leave] you, nor will I ever forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).

3. God is love. Consider this prophecy: The Lord said, “I have made a covenant with My chosen; I have sworn to David My servant, I will establish your seed forever and build up your throne firm to all generations . . . My lovingkindness I will keep for him forever, and My covenantshall be confirmed to him” (Psalm 89:3-4, 28).

Through the prophecies connecting David to Jesus, we see Jesus’ character—He is all-powerful, faithful, and loving. And the day will come when our long-awaited Messiah will return to earth and fulfill every last prophecy.

Until then, you can live with a willingness to walk wherever He leads. You can sing with your soul, “Wherever He leads I’ll go . . . I’ll follow my Christ who loves me so, wherever He leads I’ll go.” This can be your reality, until He fully establishes His Kingdom and we enjoy His presence forever—face-to-face with Christ our Savior.

Questions for Thought

1. Do you have a Freida in your life? 
2. How can you share how Jesus fulfilled the Messianic prophecies?

Daily Challenge

When the Lord brings you someone, be prepared. Read Matthew, Isaiah 53, and Psalm 22 marking the passages to share. 

Share the many Old Testament prophecies*

Example, the Messiah would:

• Be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2)
• Bring honor to Galilee (Isaiah 9:1,6)
• Be raised from the dead (Psalm 16:10)

You can radiate our Lord’s love and shine His light to a world living in darkness.

*See Jewish Fulfillment at HopeForTheHeart.org.