Listening with Delight

Listening with Delight
Words of Faith 3-5-24
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2024
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL
www.faithfellowshipweb.com
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Mark 12
[35] While Jesus was teaching in the temple courts, he asked, "How is it that the teachers of the law say that the Christ is the son of David? [36] David himself, speaking by the Holy Spirit, declared:
"'The Lord said to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet."' [37] David himself calls him 'Lord.' How then can he be his son?"
The large crowd listened to him with delight.

Now, it was time for Jesus to ask questions. How is it that the teachers of the law only consider Christ to be the "son of David," that is, a descendant of David but nothing more? Even David knew that He is something more. Even David knew that there was one coming after him whose sandals he would be unworthy to untie. David was the most outstanding King of Israel, but still, he knew that the one who would reign in God's kingdom was David's "lord," not merely his descendant.
Jesus was focusing on the Truth now. The Messiah would be greater than the resurrected David. David's Lord existed even before David. David was not a perfect man, but Messiah would be. David even knew God's powerful forgiveness but that grace that would one day be paid for in full by His Lord at the right time.
So Jesus was pushing a point. It was widely believed that Christ, the Messiah, would be the "son of David" or a descendant of that throne. Indeed, the Christ, or anointed one, was to be the royal descendant of David (Isaiah 9:7; Isaiah 11:1; Psalm 2; Psalm 89; Psalm 132). But this view of messiahship was limited. It was a view that lent itself to earthly revolution. Messiah was much more than a returning Davidic King. And even David knew that the Messiah would be much more-- God made flesh, the Son of God and the son of David.

As the passion of the Christ was approaching, it was essential to know that Messiah was not just another earthly leader with human frailties. Nor is Messiah an unflinching God, only pretending to be human without pain and death. Messiah is the perfect mighty warrior. "'The Lord said to my Lord: 'Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet.'" Jesus wins. This truth would become a critical argument in the early church for the resurrection of Jesus.
We may not be so concerned with such theological hair-splitting, but there is a powerful truth here. Jesus is Lord. Jesus is not our "buddy." Jesus is not your BFF, your pal, your mate, your chum, or your home-boy. He is Lord. He has called you "friend." He has declared his friendship with you by His grace, but He is still Lord. He is God. Listen with delight.

Lord, I rejoice in the knowledge that You are Lord. I declare you to be the Lord of my life. I delight in the knowledge that You have put all enemies under your feet. Amen.

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© Jeffrey D. Hoy 2024
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy - Faith Fellowship Church (EFCA)
2820 Business Center Blvd.
Melbourne, Florida 32940 (321)-259-7200
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
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