FULLY GOD, FULLY HUMAN

The Jewish leaders stop their attacks, but Jesus now challenges their reading of Psalm 110:1, the most quoted Old Testament passage in the New Testament (eg., Acts 2:34,35). He draws on the Hebrew of Psalm 110:1, “YHWH declares to my ʾā·ḏôn.” Jesus is David’s descendant (Luke 3:31), but Jesus asks how the Christ can be merely David’s son when God calls him Adonai, a name for God. The teachers of the law have failed to read their Scriptures closely enough to perceive the Messiah’s identity as the Divine Son with authority to subdue God’s enemies.

Then in their presence Jesus warns the disciples to beware of Israel’s lawyers. In a culture where seats were given based on rank in the synagogues, they love sitting directly beside the Torah-ark. They also covet the places beside the host at meals. They “devour widows’ houses” (47): this can mean mismanaging widows’ temple offerings, abusing their hospitality, taking their homes for unpaid debts, or other exorbitant fees (Darrell L. Bock, Luke 9:51 – 24:53, Baker Academic, 1996, p. 1634–1635 Logos). The next passage suggests that the first of these may be correct. They also make a big show of their public prayers.

Four things strike me. First, Jesus’ divinity is etched into his own teaching – he is fully human and fully God. Second, we are warned against pride and seeking status. Whether or not we wear clerical clothes, our posture must always be cross-bearing humility, being quick to take the lowest seats (Luke 14:8–11). Third, wherever we work we must treat all people justly, responding to oppression with radical generosity. Fourth, there is no place for seeking personal adulation as we worship, something especially important for Christian worship leaders and musicians. We do not worship to be the object of attention, but rather to direct it toward Yahweh and Adonai, Father and Son!

Consider your attitudes. Are you living humbly, or are you subtly seeking adulation through your piety? Repent. Rise and worship and serve God and Son.