Sermon Guide

TO US A SON IS BORN | SON OF DAVID

Teaching Text

Matthew 20:29-24

As Jesus and his disciples were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed him. Two blind men were sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was going by, they shouted, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us! Jesus stopped and called them. “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked. “Lord,” they answered, “we want our sight.” Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him.

Sermon Recap

This Sunday, Pastor Suzy Silk kicked off our Advent series, “To Us a Son is Given” by calling us to reflect on two questions over the next few weeks leading up to Christmas Day: What kind of Son has been given to us? What is His name? Pastor Suzy invited us to consider one of Jesus’ prophetic names, the “Son of David,” and how it highlights Jesus’ ministry of mercy.

The title of “Son of David” finds its origins in two promises God made to King David, an immediate promise that his son Solomon would build the temple for God, and an eternal promise that God’s Kingdom would be established through David’s line, and his descendant would reign forever. Throughout the Old Testament, the phrase “his father David” was used to describe a good king who was continuing to live in the way of David by having a heart obedient to God. While these were still human rulers who fell short, the prophets revealed that a perfect King would come to rule with peace and justice, and anticipation built for the Messiah King to bring redemption for the people of God.

Matthew’s gospel opens the New Testament with the genealogy of Jesus, introducing Him as this long-awaited Messiah, the promised Son of David. However, Jesus came, not as the warrior king the people of God expected, but as a humble and merciful King, a Shepherd for His sheep, a Savior for the sick and the sinners. Pastor Suzy pointed to multiple verses in Matthew’s gospel where Jesus is called the Son of David by the blind, the oppressed, and others in need desperate need for His mercy and compassion.

In one account, two blind men cry out to Jesus as the Son of David, asking Him for healing, believing that He will hear and heal them. These two men represent the faith that followers of Christ should have, a faith that is marked by awareness of need, and earnestly cries out to Jesus. Pastor Suzy concluded by encouraging us to put ourselves in the shoes of those blind men, rather than the able-bodied disciples, in order to recognize our need for Jesus, the Son of David, to rescue us by His great mercy.

If you missed this talk, you can watch it here today.

Discussion Questions

Connect

1. What is something you are hoping for this season?

Character

Ask someone to read Matthew 20:29-34 passages aloud. Then, ask the following questions:

1. What words, images, or phrases stand out to you in these passages?

2. What does this passage reveal about the character of Jesus?

Consider

1. Pastor Suzy shared that "Jesus is not always the king we would expect, but He is the King we need." When is a time Jesus showed up for you in a way you did not expect but ended up needing?

2. A key tenant of the character of Jesus, the Son of David, is His mercy. The same Jesus who had mercy on the two blind men is the same Jesus whose Holy Spirit lives in us today. What are some tangible ways you have experienced the mercy of God? How can you extend that mercy to others this week?

3. When Jesus heard the two blind men calling out to Him, He stopped and asked, "What do you want me to do for you?" In faith, share with one another what you want Jesus to do for you in this season.

Cover

Is anyone in the group in need of healing physically, spirtually, or emotionally? Cover them in prayer, believing that Jesus will heal them, just as He did for the two blind men.