April 22, 2013
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 22:41-46
OBSERVATIONS
David knows that He is not the one who will ultimately restore Israel. In 2 Samuel 7:11-16 God tells David that he will not build the temple, but one of his sons will build the temple and establish his kingdom. This kingdom will last forever. David knows that this ‘still to come’ son will rule over him, will be his lord. Solomon fulfills this prophecy in part, but he too dies. Not until Jesus, the Son of David, comes does the kingdom get established forever.
Jesus is showing that the Christ (promised Messiah) would be more than just a son of David, He would be greater than David, the ultimate Lord of David and all people, with all authority in heaven and on earth (Matthew 28;18). The greatness of the Messiah exceeds Moses and David and any other prophet.
This passage needs to be read alongside of Acts 2:29-36, where Peter states that Jesus is greater than David, the ultimate Lord and Messiah. It also is rooted in Daniel’s vision of the coming Messiah: “In my vision I saw One who looked like a son of man. He was coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Eternal God. He was led right up to him. And he was given authority, glory and a kingdom. People from every nation and language worshiped him. His authority will last forever. It will not pass away. His kingdom will never be destroyed.” (Daniel 7:13-14)
What do you notice in this passage?
APPLICATION
Jesus is greater than any prophet, every prophet. He is a prophet (one who speaks for God), but He is more than a prophet. He is the Lord of the Universe, the One that finally establishes God’s kingdom on earth by living it Himself. Every other prophet, priest and king pointed to God and the kingdom; Jesus reveals God and establishes the kingdom.
We need more than a prophet, priest, king; our world had seen many of these, bad ones and good ones. But they all died, they all failed to fully reveal God and establish God’s kingdom. We need Jesus, the prophet, priest and king that does not fail, that defeats sin, death and hell and once for all makes God’s new world possible.
”Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here. See my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen me but still have believed.” (John 20:27-29)
Do I think of Jesus in a big enough way? Do I realize the difference between Jesus and every other world hero? Do I appreciate His significance for me, for the world?
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, You are bigger, greater than I realize. Help me to kneel in wonder and devotion before You as my Lord and my God!
Jesus follower
trying to find His way
In several places, Jesus talks about how he stands outside of time. Today, we hear how Jesus baffles the Pharisees, by asking a question about the Christ. Who is he? How is it that if he is a son of David, that David calls him Lord? Interesting question. It reminds me of the time that Jesus states “Before Abraham was I am. “
Today I feel that I am asked this same question. “What do I think about the Christ”. My answer to this question, and what I do with that means quite a bit. Whose son is he? Yes, he came from the lineage of David, but if I believe that Jesus is the son of God, then my living for him becomes central to my life. Not only is he the Lord for David, but he also needs to be Lord for me.
I pray that I can live my life with Jesus as my Lord. I am reminded of the old hymn
Take my life and let it be
Consecrated Lord to thee,
Take my moments and my days
Let them flow in endless praise.
Observations:
The question asked is also a question for today. Who is Jesus? Although a son from the line of David, He was much greater because God became man and therefore the Lord of all. Once again the religious leaders of the day were baffled because of His answer and their own blindness. They should have been in touch with God and known the scriptures but were lost in their own way doing their own thing using the religiousity for their own purpose.
Application:
Who is Jesus? What do I think about Him? Then I think of the voice of Thomas = My Lord and My God! I need to see His handiwork in all creation as I live this day in His presence doing His will for my life. My voice need to be the voice of Peter – standing up for Jesus. I need to live for Jesus this day because Today God Is First as He is every day.
Prayer:
Lead me and Guide me Lord to live for Jesus in all I do and say this day.
Stand up, stand up for Jesus! ye soldiers of the cross;
Lift high His royal banner, it must not suffer loss:
From vict’ry unto vict’ry, His army shall He lead,
Till every foe is vanquished, and Christ is Lord indeed.
Stand up, stand up for Jesus! The trumpet call obey:
Forth to the mighty conflict, in this His glorious day;
Ye that are men now serve Him against unnumbered foes;
Let courage rise with danger, and strength to strength oppose
.
Stand up, stand up for Jesus! Stand in His strength alone,
The arm of flesh will fail you, ye dare not trust your own;
Put on the gospel armor, and watching unto prayer,
Where calls the voice of duty, be never wanting there.
Stand up, stand up for Jesus! the strife will not be long;
This day the noise of battle, the next the victor’s song;
To him that overcometh a crown of life shall be;
He with the King of glory shall reign eternally.