As you commence reading Luke’s Infancy Narratives be aware of the technique he uses. Luke sees the story of salvation, as it is told in the Hebrew Scriptures, integrally linked to, and continued, in Jesus’ life. He also sees similarities between the life of Jesus and the story of Israel.
God reveals himself to Abraham and Sarah. A very old, childless couple, are promised a son. Abraham and Sarah are in the Old Testament.
Zechariah and Elizabeth are also an elderly, childless couple. Elizabeth is barren with no hope of having a child. An angel announces to Zechariah the good news. He will be seen as the last of the prophets of the First Testament. “He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. (Lk 1: 16) Not long afterwards Mary will visit Elizabeth. As they stand facing each other the child in Elizabeth’s womb recognises the unborn Jesus, and the bridge between the past and the new is complete.
Matthew’s primary concern is to link Jesus’ story to the salvation history of the Israelites. His genealogy commences with, “Abraham became the father of Isaac.” He also sees Jesus as the New Moses. Luke places Jesus in the royal line of David and his ancestors were Abraham and Adam, who was from God.
Gabriel was sent to a virgin betrothed to a man called Joseph of the house of David. By making Jesus son of Abraham, Jesus is linked to the Jewish people. Son of Adam identifies Jesus with the human race. Luke goes even further when he states, Jesus is Son of God.
God made two covenants with the Israelites. “I will be your God and you will be my people. .. But if you do not keep all these commandments … I will punish you.” (Lev 26: 12 – 16) The second was made to David referring to one of his descendants.
9“I will make for you a great name .. 13I shall establish the throne of his kingdom forever .. 14I shall be his father, and he will be my son .. 16And your house and your kingdom will be forever.” (2 Sam 7) This is unconditional and forever.
Gabriel announces to Mary, “He (Jesus) will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and God will give him the throne of his father David; and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever. .. and there will be no end to his kingdom.” (1: 32 – 34) This ‘house’ has nothing to do with a building. This is the family of God.
Jesus is certainly, son of David, Son of the Most High, Son of God.