On this day in history, July 22nd, 2013, Prince George Alexander Louis, the first child of Prince William and Princess Catherine of Great Britain was born in London. Prince George became third in line to the British throne after his grandfather, the current King Charles III, and his father.
In a hereditary monarchy, lines of succession are crucial. A clear and smooth succession maintains stability and continuity, prevents disputes, and ensures public confidence in the monarch’s leadership. Therefore, Prince George’s birth as a rightful heir to the British throne was widely celebrated as a sign of health that the British crown would continue for another generation.
Prince George plays an important role in the British monarchical succession. But Scripture speaks of the monarchical succession closest to God’s heart: the Kingship of His Son, Jesus.
The entire Bible points to King Jesus “who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever” (Rev. 4:9). In the Old Testament, the God-appointed successive leaders (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Moses, Joshua and Judges) and Israel’s kings (David, Solomon and Rehoboam) all pointed to the need for a perfect and everlasting Messiah.
Old Testament Prophets spoke of this Messiah at the time when Israel faced a serious threat from the Assyrians. The Prophet Isaiah declared God’s Word for this Messiah: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this” (Isa. 9:6-7).
At the time of Christ’s birth, few would know that this Prince of Peace would be born in a manger in Bethlehem to an unwed mother as Herod ruled as King of Judea. Fewer still would believe Jesus, Mighty God, would be subject to die on a cross, convicted of being a treasonous insurrectionist by the Romans. This is not the succession plan people believed envisioned for the “King of kings and Lord of lords” (Rev. 19:16).
But that was orchestrated by God. Isaiah also prophecied: “Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord makes his life an offering for sin, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand” (Is. 53:10).
Yet it was on the cross where King Jesus opened up a way for those who believe,“his offspring” (Is. 53:10), to become co-heirs (Rom. 8:17) with Him in God’s succession plan. Now that is worth celebrating!