The Royal Son
Day 5 - When all the nations worship
“Give the king your justice, O God, and your righteousness to the royal son! May he judge your people with righteousness and your poor with justice! May he defend the cause of the poor of the people, give deliverance to the children of the needy, May he have dominion from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth! May desert tribes bow down before him, May all kings fall down before him, all nations serve him! May his name endure forever, his fame continue as long as the sun! May people be blessed in him, all nations call him blessed!”
-Psalm 72 (select verses)
(photo by Lisa Shkrobot)
Today we look at a selection of verses from a prominent Messianic psalm. Originally this psalm was written with King Solomon in mind, however it has long been recognized as a description of the rule of the coming Messiah, who we know is Jesus Christ. Solomon was once a ‘royal son’ but Jesus is the royal Son.
As we come to Christmas, our hearts and minds anticipate the promise of a greater-David, of Jesus who will come again. The promise speaks of a king who will establish righteousness and not neglect the poor and and the needy, who will have dominion from sea to sea and be recognized as ruler by all the other kings of the nations. He will bring unity among all the different ethnic tribes of the world and the fame of His name will endure forever! We know that these verses can only describe Jesus the coming Messiah.
We live in-between the first and second Advent, in a time when all nations do not recognize or serve Jesus, but we know that God has promised that one day Jesus, the royal son will be seen as beautiful and glorious. He will judge with perfect wisdom and righteousness and all who are suffering injustice and oppression will be defended and delivered. His return will ‘save the children of the needy’ and ‘bring prosperity to the people’. As the Magi once brought Jesus gifts of gold, incense and myrrh, so the kings of the earth from distant shores will again present him tribute and gifts (Ps. 72:10).
These poetic descriptions have been given to us to awaken and engage our imagination, or, as author Michael Card says, our ‘biblical imagination’. These prophetic Scriptures kindle hope within our hearts and they beckon us to anticipate and eagerly desire our future under the reign of the royal son, King Jesus. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!