The Root and the Offspring of David

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The Root and the Offspring of David

“I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.”

Revelation 22:16

As we continue to dwell a bit longer on the text we considered yesterday, we alight upon another title by which Christ describes Himself. As He closes the Scripture with these last revelations, He says, ‘I am the Root and the Offspring of David.’ Of what significance is this self-description? How is that so? We may consider in this context David’s words from Psalm 110:1, “Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.” David recognized that Christ was his Lord, that He preceded him, and had authority over him. Christ here declares that, as the Root of David, David in essence proceeded from Him and that He is David’s Creator. This points us to the Divinity of Christ. Beyond that He declares, ‘I am the…Offspring of David.’ Christ would take up the subject of this relationship in a controversial setting during His earthly ministry when He said, ‘“What do you think about the Christ? Whose Son is He?” They said to Him, “The Son of David.” He said to them, “How then does David in the Spirit call Him ‘Lord,’ saying: ‘The LORD said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool?” If David then calls Him ‘Lord,’ how is He his Son?” Christ is David’s Root as well as his Son. He is David’s Lord, as well as his Heir to the Throne. This points, not only to His Deity, but also to His humanity. He is also, like David, Shepherd, Warrior, Poet and King. As Christ closes the Revelation of Himself, He gives to us, in seed form, a very full picture. He is worthy of our contemplation. He is Worthy of our meditation. He is worthy of our devotion. He is ‘the Root and the offspring of David and the Bright and Morning Star.’

Our most Glorious Christ,
we rejoice that all of the details of Holy history are fulfilled in You.
We praise You, that You are ‘the Alpha and the Omega,
the Beginning and the End.’

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning