Luke 20:41-47
41 But He said to them, “How is it that they say the Christ is David’s son?
42 For David himself says in the book of Psalms,
‘The Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit at My right hand,
43 Until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.” ’
44 Therefore David calls Him ‘Lord,’ and so how is He his son?”
45 And while all the people were listening, He said to the disciples,
46 “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and love personal greetings in the marketplaces, and chief seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets,
47 who devour widows’ houses, and for appearance’s sake offer long prayers. These will receive all the more condemnation.”
Is Christ the Son of David?
Jesus’ question
While answering the questions of those who condemned Him, Jesus finally asked one question: “How is it that they say the Christ is David’s son?” (v 41). Through this question, He sought to correct their mistaken view of the Messiah. The Jews of that time believed that those who lived in the past were greater than those living in the present. Therefore, they regarded the Messiah, who was to come as “the son of David,” as someone lesser than King David himself. As a result, their view of the Messiah contained two major flaws: (1) They understood the Messiah to be a second coming of David, one who would perform the same works that David had done. (2) They believed the Messiah would be a king who would politically liberate Israel. In other words, their concept of the Messiah was extremely nationalistic. To correct this narrow view, Jesus quoted Psalm 110:1 and asked, “Therefore David calls Him ‘Lord,’ and so how is He his son?” (v 44). What Jesus wanted to assert was this: “David’s view of the Messiah was by no means narrow. This is evident from the fact that he called the Christ (Messiah) ‘Lord.’ The Christ is the Savior of all humanity.” Today’s passage may seem difficult for us Gentiles to understand, yet it contains an important lesson. Everyone has their own view of the Messiah. The question is whether that view is biblical or self-made. If our understanding of Christ is narrow, our Christian life cannot be what God intends it to be. Now, let us reflect on the glory, power, love, grace, and depth of wisdom of Jesus, and offer our worship to Him.
Jesus’ warning
Let us learn from the mistakes of the scribes. (1) They were more concerned with how they appeared before people than with how they appeared before God. Words such as “long robes,” “chief seats in the synagogues,” and “places of honor at banquets” illustrate this. (2) They were ruled by a spirit of greed. It is written that they “devour widows’ houses.” (3) They pretended to be pious, “offering long prayers for appearance’s sake.” These three errors serve as warnings for us as well. Now, let us allow the Holy Spirit to search our hearts.
Today's prayer
Father God of Jesus Christ, please forgive me for having viewed the Savior, Jesus Christ, as too small. Set me free from self-made faith and a self-made understanding of Christ and lead me to live a Christian life that daily experiences Your love and power. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.