Lord and Son
Mark 12:35-44
Why would Jesus bring up this point about being David's son?
Photo by Uday Mittal on Unsplash
While Jesus was teaching in the temple, he said, "How can the scribes say that the Messiah is the son of David? David himself, by the Holy Spirit, declared, 'The Lord said to my Lord, "Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet."' David himself calls him Lord; so how can he be his son?" And the large crowd was listening to him with delight. As he taught, he said, "Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets! They devour widows' houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation." He sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. Then he called his disciples and said to them, "Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on." - Mark 12:35-44
Jesus seems to say that the Messiah could not be David's son, which sounds like he is refuting his ancestry, but is that what he is doing here?
Jewish tradition informs us that one would not call a descendant "Lord," so Jesus is correct in his point that David would not call Jesus Lord, based on kinship alone. Something else must be at play here.
The message for us and for all is that Jesus is more than an heir to David's throne. He is an heir to God's throne.
The Messiah, therefore, is more than what the Jewish people expected.
What Jesus does over and over again is flip the expectations and beliefs of the Pharisees and scribes, showing how they have misinterpreted God's message to His people.
This is a big deal. It is no wonder the people were enthralled with him.
Imagine hearing someone say to us today, stating everything you think you know about a given topic is wrong.
Some would scoff, but many would be curious, wanting to know more.
This is what Jesus was doing. He was stirring up the minds and hearts of the people who had become accustomed to listening and following blindly.
This is why he tells them they are blind and deaf.
If we take anything away from this today, I believe it should be to keep an open mind and be willing to listen and try to understand, even when what is said appears foolish or heretical.
God has a strange way of reaching us in our confusion.
More to come...