”Then Jesus said to them, “Why is it said that the Messiah is the son of David? 42 David himself declares 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.”’[c] 44 David calls him ‘Lord.’ How then can he be his son?” Luke 20.41-44
This is a very interesting question that Jesus poses. He asks the religious leaders a question to stump them and make them think. He asks, “Why is it said that the Messiah is the son of David?” In other words, in the prophets of the Old Testament, it is said the Messiah will come from the line of David. But David writes in the Psalms, “The Lord said to my Lord; ‘Sit at my right hand…” So Jesus asks, “David calls the Messiah “Lord”, how can he also be his son?”
We know the truth because we believe. Jesus is both Messiah and God in the flesh. He existed before David and also came after him as a man. Yet the religious leaders could not answer the question. “Unless Jesus’ opponents were ready to admit that Jesus as Messiah was also the divine Son of God, they could not answer his question,” (NIV Study Bible Commentary). According to the NIV Grace and Truth Commentary, “The conclusion Jesus makes in Luke 20:44 does not deny the Messiah’s Davidic descent. It does show, however, that “son of David” does not capture all there is to say about the Messiah: he is Lord, as announced by David himself in Psalm 110.”
The religious Jews could not reconcile that Jesus was both God’s Son and Messiah. In truth, many believed neither. Even though they could not win arguments against him, they refused to believe his divinity and messiahship. Jesus in essence affirms in this passage that he is both Lord and God, Messiah and Son of God. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. He is the Messiah who fulfilled each one of the Old Testament Scriptures. (For a list of 55 of these visit https://www.jesusfilm.org/blog-and-stories/old-testament-prophecies.html.)
If Jesus is both Lord and God, Messiah and Savior, how must our lives reflect this reality? He is who he said he was and the hope he brings for the salvation of the world is complete. The answer is we must walk by faith, believe in the truth of his Word, and live by the power of the Holy Spirit. We are on this earth for a purpose to help people reconcile to God. The End. Period. This is why we are here — to know God and to be known by him.
What a beautiful promise Jesus has given us in himself. A Savior to make us spiritually right with God and holy before his eyes. We are given abundant life today and eternal life to come.
Are you living in this hope? Are you walking with Jesus this very hour?
”O Lord God, come now, Holy Spirit, fill us with your grace and truth. Help us know the power of your presence and the gift of your love. I thank you Lord for being Lord and God. Sanctify me by your Spirit. Call me into newness of life and a joy filled existence with you. For you are good and your love endures forever.” Amen