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Matthew 22:41-46
“While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, saying, ‘What do you think about the Christ? Whose Son is He?’ They said to Him, ‘The Son of David.’ He said to them, ‘How then does David in the Spirit call Him “Lord,” saying: “The Lord said to my Lord, ‘Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool’”? If David then calls Him “Lord,” how is He his Son?’ And no one was able to answer Him a word, nor from that day on did anyone dare question Him anymore.” - Matthew 22:41-46 (NKJV)
In this passage, Jesus poses a profound question to the Pharisees.
The Question That Reveals
Jesus turns the tables on the Pharisees, asking them a question that goes to the heart of His identity: “What do you think about the Christ? Whose Son is He?” The Pharisees respond with what they know—the Messiah is the Son of David, a title rooted in Old Testament prophecy. But Jesus pushes them further, challenging their limited understanding. The question Jesus poses is the most important one for every human heart: Who do you believe Christ to be? It is a question that reveals whether we truly understand the Scriptures and the divine nature of Jesus.
The Scripture That Testifies
To challenge the Pharisees, Jesus cites Psalm 110:1, a psalm of David inspired by the Holy Spirit. In this psalm, David refers to the Messiah as “Lord,” a term of divine authority. Jesus points out the apparent paradox: How can the Messiah be both David’s son and his Lord? The answer lies in the dual nature of Christ. As a descendant of David, Jesus fulfills the human lineage required of the Messiah. Yet, as the Son of God, He is far greater than David, reigning as Lord over all. This Scripture testifies to the full deity and humanity of Jesus, a truth central to the gospel.
The Silence That Convicts
The Pharisees, steeped in their traditions but blind to the truth, are unable to answer Jesus. Their silence underscores their failure to grasp the full identity of the Messiah standing before them. This moment is not just about intellectual inadequacy but spiritual blindness. How often do we, like the Pharisees, fail to recognize Christ for who He truly is? When faced with His Word and His claims, we are left with a choice: to bow in worship or to retreat in silence. The Pharisees chose the latter, but Christ invites us to confess Him as Lord.
The Lordship That Demands a Response
Jesus’ teaching here is not merely theological; it is deeply personal. If Christ is both David’s son and David’s Lord, then He is Lord over all creation and over our lives. To acknowledge Jesus as Lord is to surrender our plans, ambitions, and will to Him. His Lordship demands not partial allegiance but total devotion. The Pharisees missed this truth, but we must not. Who we believe Jesus to be will shape not only our understanding of Scripture but the entire direction of our lives.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, we confess that You are both David’s Son and David’s Lord. Open our eyes to see You for who You truly are and help us to live in full surrender to Your Lordship. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.
May this devotional deepen your understanding of Jesus as the promised Messiah, strengthen your faith in His divine authority, and inspire you to worship Him as both Lord and Savior with all your heart.
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