March 25, 2025 | Be God's Family
Jesus Teaches about the Messiah
Scripture: Matthew 22:41-46(NIV)
41 While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, 42 “What do you think about the Messiah? Whose son is he?”
“The son of David,” they replied.
43 He said to them, “How is it then that David, speaking by the Spirit, calls him ‘Lord’? For he says,
44 “‘The Lord said to my Lord:
“Sit at my right hand
until I put your enemies
under your feet.”’
45 If then David calls him ‘Lord,’ how can he be his son?” 46 No one could say a word in reply, and from that day on no one dared to ask him any more questions.
Devotional
Keenly aware of my own shortcomings and lack of a broad education, I have often found myself intimidated by experts and those who are very outspoken with their opinions and knowledge in a particular topic of conversation. Frequently, I have not had the courage to ask questions, fearing I would sound ignorant.
In Jesus’s day, the Sadducees and the Pharisees were so firmly in authority over the Israelites, the average citizen would have likely felt the same way as I, and unquestioningly accepted their knowledge as law, even if most people did not fully understand. Examples abound in the Bible showing those scholars arrogantly abused their high position.
After at least temporarily silencing the Sadducees (see Matthew 22:23-32), Jesus effectively puts the Pharisees in an equally awkward situation. They are “experts” in the law of Moses, so they challenge Jesus, asking Him which is the greatest commandment that was given to the people of Israel. He accurately cites the first and second commandments, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind…Love your neighbor as yourself.” Then Jesus further emphasizes His answer, saying, “All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
While the Pharisees are mulling over His correct reply, He turns the tables on them asking them to clarify their knowledge of the Christ, their view of what they believe about the future Messiah. They state that the Christ is the son of David. Jesus quotes Psalm 110, “The Lord said to my Lord: ‘Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet.’” Jesus asks the Pharisees, “If then David calls him ‘Lord,’ how can he be his son?” They are stumped and left speechless. Other writers of the Gospels indicate that the crowds who overheard the conversation were delighted that He had confounded the Pharisees (see Mark 12:37b & Luke 20:45). Jesus later instructs his followers to be cautious and discerning when listening to the teachers of the law (see Matthew 23).
As I am “aging gracefully,” I find my filters are much thinner, and I am eager to ask questions, regardless of appearances and being the possible recipient of derision. I am learning and growing, questioning and listening. To quote an elderly friend when she was asked about her diligence in studying the Bible, she laughed and said, “I’m cramming for my finals!”
Questions:
What is my belief about Jesus? Is He the Messiah?
Am I diligent in my search for both head and heart knowledge of Jesus?
Am I a gracious listener when others have questions about my/their Faith?
Poem
Coronation
Psalm 110
The Lord says to my lord: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.” The Lord will extend your mighty scepter from Zion, saying, “Rule in the midst of your enemies!” Your troops will be willing on your day of battle.
Psalm 110: 1-3a
Come, My Beloved, My Begotten One
It is finished
It is accomplished
It is victory
Come, My Beloved, My Begotten One
Return to the throne room
Sit at My right hand
Rest Your feet upon the crushed enemy
Come, My Beloved, My Begotten One
I return the scepter of power to You
I return the scepter of authority to You
I return the scepter of the Kingdom to You
Come, My Beloved, My Begotten One
Receive the white linen of Your station
Receive the ephod of Your people
Receive the blessing of Your Father
Come, My Beloved, My Begotten One
Crush all evil which divides You from your creation
Judge all nations in righteousness and mercy
Drink all the cup of wrath and turn darkness into a new day
