“Jesus, son of David, have pity on me.” Jesus was known as the son of David — most famously during the triumphal entry into Jerusalem. “Hosanna to the Son of David!” (Matthew 21:9). While there are religious and messianic meanings behind the title, the historical one is also interesting. David had lived 1000 years before Jesus. The last descendant of David who ruled as king was Zedekiah who was deposed by the Babylonians in 586BC. When the nation was restored after the exile it was not a son of David who was the designated ruler. In our culture we have a hard time remembering our ancestors from one hundred years ago much less ones from one thousand or five hundred years ago. The fact that the Jewish people had those long-term memories testifies to the importance of fidelity for the chosen people. St. Paul in his letter to the Romans tells us that God doesn’t change the divine mind, that the Chosen People are still chosen. Jesus was the son of David but not as a king. The chosen people’s way of being chosen has also altered. When you look at your own story how has your relationship with God changed over time?
MAY282026
By Church Staff
