GREATER THAN DAVID
Opening Prayer
Jesus, may I stand in awe of You. I praise and thank You for who You are.
Read Luke 20:41–47
Whose Son Is the Messiah?
41 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.”’[a]
44 David calls him ‘Lord.’ How then can he be his son?”
Warning Against the Teachers of the Law
45 While 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 with respect in the marketplaces and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. 47 They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely.”
Footnotes:
a Luke 20:43 Psalm 110:1
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Have you become nonchalant about knowing Jesus, the Son of God and Savior of the world?Again in this section of Luke’s Gospel we pick up the theme of the identity or credentials of Jesus. Now it’s Jesus’ turn to ask a question. The Pharisees used the phrase “Son of David” to refer to the Messiah. David was considered to be their greatest king, and the Messiah will, they believe, restore David’s kingdom to its original glory. They are happy for Jesus to be a son of David in the sense of being his descendant – and they know that the Messiah will be a descendant of David. Yet if King David refers to the Messiah as his Lord, Jesus challenges them (44), surely the Messiah is greater than David. Can the Messiah be just human?
Jesus is leading them to the logical conclusion that he is the Messiah and God incarnate. But this is a step too much for them. Jesus keeps his harshest words (46, 47) for the religious leaders whose outward appearance speaks of devotion to God while they resist his message. Although the words are often used to condemn (elsewhere he calls them vipers, fools, and hypocrites), remember that he is soon to lay down his life for such people as these.
Apply
Do you sometimes forget that you need a Savior? Do you try to accomplish life on your own? Take some time to remember that Jesus is your Messiah today – and treat Him as such.
Closing prayer
God, I pray for church leaders locally and nationally to be tender-hearted and humble, fully aware that they serve the King.
Click here to sign up to receive the EXTRAs via email each quarter.
© 2024 Scripture Union U.S.A. All rights reserved. Reproduction of the whole or any part of the contents without written permission is prohibited.
Discovery is published in the USA under license from Scripture Union England and Wales, Trinity House, Opal Court, Opal Drive, Fox Milne, Milton Keynes, MK15 0DF.