Child of the King

The geneology of Jesus found in Matthew starts with Abraham and leads up to Joseph, “the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.”It’s the bloodline of Joseph, Jesus’ adopted father.In Luke, Jesus’ geneology follows Mary’s bloodline.A few weeks ago, our pastor pointed out that both bloodlines trace to David, to royalty.But Joseph was a carpenter. He wasn’t thinking palaces and royal robes. He wouldn’t have been imagining any right to a throne. His royal heritage didn’t matter much when he was getting ready to wed. He was simply a carpenter, pledged to be married to Mary.And when she was “found to be with child,” Joseph had in mind to divorce her quietly.But, as we know, after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said:

Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife…

Joseph, son of David.

The angel reminded Joseph that he was of the family of David. Royalty.

Joseph needed a reminder that royal blood flowed through his veins.

It’s as if the angel were saying, “Joseph, you are a child of the king.”

Joseph accepted the angel’s words to take Mary to be his wife and Jesus to be his son.

This man who was reminded of his own royal heritage never lived like royalty.

Yet, he accepted the role of father to the King of kings.

And thanks to Joseph’s faithfulness to obey when everything that was happening seemed impossible, we, too, can be reminded that by faith in the Son he adopted, we have become adopted, as well.

“Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12).

Where meek souls will receive Him still, the dear Christ, the Son of God, enters in…and then we, like Joseph, become children of the King.

Joseph was reminded by an angel.

I was reminded by our pastor.

I’m not much of a messenger, but may I be so bold as to remind you — even if you feel no more royal than a carpenter — in and through Christ Jesus, whose royal blood, shed on the cross, covers those who receive Him, those who believe in His name…

You are a child of the King.