Whose Son Is the Christ?

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We have been meditating on the week before the crucifixion of Christ. After Jesus had confronted the selling of animals in the temple courts, a place dedicated to prayer for all nations, the leaders of the Jewish nation argue with Jesus, trying to undermine the spiritual authority that Christ had with the people. The Lord won every argument, before turning to give them a question to answer:

41Then Jesus said to them, "How is it that they say the Christ is the Son of David? 42David himself declares in the Book of Psalms: " 'The Lord said to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand 43until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet." 44David calls him 'Lord.' How then can he be his son?" 45While all the people were listening, Jesus said to his disciples, 46"Beware of the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and love to be greeted in the marketplaces and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. 47They devour widows' houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. Such men will be punished most severely" (Luke 20:41-47).

 

The Lord finishes the whole debate session with a warning to His followers and a reminder of Who He is. He reminded the leaders that David called the promised Son of David to be "Lord." In ancient times, great respect was paid to the eldest head of the family. God told King David that one of his offspring would be established on the throne of David forever (2 Samuel 7:8-16). This Son of David would be the Messiah or Christ, which means "the Anointed One." Speaking prophetically, David called this descendant of his "Lord" (Psalm 110:1). As to His physical nature, Christ was this Son of David, but He was (is) also the Lord of heaven. Jesus was going back to the very statement that incited the anger of the religious leaders. He wants them and us to understand Who He is and from where His authority comes. 

 

The warning about the religious elite is very severe and pointed. The Lord is calling out the hypocrisy and the corrupt lifestyle of these leaders, saying that they will receive severe punishment. He was concerned about protecting His followers from false teaching and from those who would try to lead them astray. Soon, Christ will leave them, and at that time, it will be vital for them to look beyond the present evil physical world and to see Who He really is, viz. the Son of God, the Christ. The whole concept of the resurrection is about to take on new meaning for His disciples when Christ is raised from the dead. The power of the resurrection and His departure to heaven will cause them to replay in their minds all the things He had taught them. 

 

Prayer: Open our eyes to see Who You are. Grant us grace when we experience opposition to our faith in You.  Amen.

 

Taken from the series on the Gospel of Luke. Click on study 54. Luke 20:20-47. Questions About Eternity. Keith Thomas

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