Whose Son Is He?

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).

On the heels of the Scribe’s question Jesus asked the group of Pharisees a question not only on His divinity, but also on scriptural inspiration. His question, What do you think about the Christ? is a very important question to ask today, for in answering the question we understand the spiritual condition of the person we ask. Many times I have had people come to my door asking, “What do you believe about the end times?” or “Do you believe the Bible is inerrant or infallible?” or “Is America one of the lost tribes of Israel?” Rather than get mired down in a debate with them on such subjects, I counter with “Tell me, who do you say Jesus is?” After all, people aren’t saved if they are pre-millennial rapturists or biblical inerrantists. They are saved because they believe Jesus is the Christ of God and have received Him as Lord and Savior.

The Pharisees answered correctly that Jesus was a descendant of David. But the identity of Jesus Christ goes further than His physical lineage. For King David to call Him ‘LORD’ meant that the Son of David is greater than David or his political and military career; He is greater than their desired Messiah of War and Peace. The messianic role of Christ has 5 important implications for us today as it did for them in His day:

1.    Jesus’ understanding of Scripture enabled Him to quote the Old Testament predictions of His life and ministry, which should impact our understanding of the Old Testament today.
2.    Jesus didn’t get bogged down in the literary and historical problems of Scripture like most biblical scholars do today. Instead, He simply presented Psalm 110:1 as a song of David that affirmed the role of the Holy Spirit in inspiring Scripture.
3.    Jesus’ interpretation of Psalm 110:1, which joins the LORD with the Messiah, reveals the messianic fulfillment of His Lordship in His church.
4.    Jesus explained His messianic role by His unique relationship with God the Father.
5.    Jesus’ triumph over sin, death, and Satan, was, and still is an important part of the assurance we have in Him as Israel’s Messiah and as our own Messiah.

“Lord Jesus, thank You for affirming the truth of who You really are, not only to Your enemies, but to Your friends and to those who have committed their lives to You. Help us to see that all Scripture points to You as the only hope we have of salvation, forgiveness of sin, and eternal life. To Your praise and glory I ask, Amen.”

Pastor