Who Is the Messiah?

Later, as Jesus was teaching the people in the Temple, He asked, “Why do the teachers of religious law (scribes) claim that the Messiah (Christ) is the Son of David? For David himself, speaking under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, said, ‘The LORD said to my Lord, Sit in the place of honor at My right hand until I humble Your enemies beneath Your feet.’ Since David himself called the Messiah (Christ) ‘my Lord,’ how can the Messiah (Christ) be his Son?” The large crowd (mass) listened to Him (Jesus) with great delight. Mark 12:35-37 (NLT)

After Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem during Holy Week (Jesus’ last week humanly alive on earth), the Jewish religious and political establishment descended on Jesus as He ministered at the Temple in Jerusalem. These religious and political leaders (Pharisees, Herodians, and Sadducees) tried their best to entrap and trick Jesus with their various questions about paying taxes (Mark 12:13-17), resurrection from the dead (Mark 12:18-27), and the greatest commandment (Mark 12:28-34). However, Jesus wisely answered the religious and political establishment’s questions. Jesus then asked the religious and political leaders the most important question of all: “Who is the Messiah?” (Mark 12:35; see also Matthew 22:42; Luke 20:41). The religious and political leaders had asked their questions. Now, Jesus turned the tables and asked them a question that went right to the heart of the matter: “Who is the Messiah?” 

Jesus asked the Jewish religious and political establishment, “Why do your religious teachers (scribes) claim that the Messiah (Christ) must be a descendant (Son) of King David?” (Mark 12:35, TLB; see also Matthew 22:42; Luke 20:41). Jesus goes on to say, “David himself, speaking by the Holy Spirit, declared: ‘The LORD [Yahweh, God the Father, Jehovah] said to my Lord Hebrew “Adonai”]: Sit at My right hand until I put Your enemies under Your feet.’ David himself calls Him (Messiah) ‘Lord.’ How then can He (Messiah) be his (David’s) Son?” (Mark 12:36-37, NIV; see also Matthew 22:43-45; Luke 20:42-44). Jesus quoted from Psalm 110:1 and taught the Jewish religious and political leaders that King David prophesied through the Holy Spirit that the Messiah would be both God and human - Immanuel, “God with us” (Matthew 1:23; see also Isaiah 7:14). Jesus was trying to make the Jewish leaders understand that the Son of David was also the Lord of David (Psalm 110:1). By incarnation (human flesh): the eternal Son of the living God came to earth as a human born into the family of King David, Israel's greatest king (Matthew 1:1, 18-25; Luke 1:26-38).

Of course, some of the religious and political leaders knew that the Messiah would be the “Son of David” based such Old Testament verses as 2 Samuel 7:12-16; Isaiah 9:6-7; Jeremiah 23:5-6. God had predestined that the Messiah should come from the family of David and be born in David’s city, Bethlehem (Micah 5:2). The religious leaders and political leaders did not understand that the Messiah would be far more than a human descendant of King David (Hebrews 1:1-3. 13). In fact, the Messiah would be God Himself in human form (incarnate) (see also Mark 1:1; John 1:1-5, 14; John 20:31; Romans 1:3-4). As eternal God, the Messiah is King David’s Lord, but as human, He is David's Son (see Romans 1:3; Acts 2:32-36). The Jews believed that the Messiah would be David's Son (John 7:41-42), but the only way David’s Son could also be David’s Lord would be if Messiah were God come in human flesh. The answer, of course, is the Lord Jesus Christ’s miraculous conception and virgin birth (see Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-38).

The central issue for every generation and each individual is what we believe about Jesus, for our salvation and eternal destiny is dependent on what we believe about Jesus Christ (see John 3:16-18; 1 John 2:21-25; 1 John 4:1-3; 1 John 5:1). Sadly, many people have a vague belief in God but refuse to accept Jesus as Messiah and Son of the living God. Yet when Jesus ministered on earth, Jesus often accepted the Messianic title “Son of David” (e.g., see Matthew 9:27; Matthew 12:23; Matthew 15:22; Matthew 20:30-31). On Palm Sunday with His Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem, Jesus accepted the crowds acclaimed that He was the long-waited Son of David (Matthew 21:9, 15; Mark 11:10). By using Psalm 110:1, Jesus openly declared to the Jewish religious and political establishment that He is both “the root and the offspring of David,” King David’s Lord, and the promised Messiah (see also Matthew 1:1, 20, Matthew 16:16; Mark 1:1; Mark 8:29; Revelation 5:5; Revelation 22:16).

Jesus is Lord of lords  and King of kings (see Matthew 22:41-45; Acts 2:32-36; Acts 7:5-6; 1 Corinthians 15:25; Ephesians 1:20-23; Hebrews 1:3, 13; Hebrews 12:2; 1 Peter 3:22 ). When Jesus ascended to heaven, God the Father honored Him by placing Jesus at His own right hand (see Acts 2:33-34; Acts 5:31; Romans 8:34; Ephesians 1:20; Colossians 3:1; Hebrews 1:3, 13; Hebrews 8:1; Hebrews 10:12; Hebrews 12:2; 1 Peter 3:22). One day, Jesus will return to conquer evil and establish His Kingdom on earth. Everyone will finally acknowledge Jesus as Messiah and Lord (Matthew 22:41-43; Mark 12:35-37; Luke 20:41-44; Ephesians 1:21; Ephesians 4:10; Colossians 2:9-10; Philippians 2:9-11; Hebrews 10:12-13). Hallelujah, what a Savior (Luke 2:10-11)!

Apostle Paul: I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe Him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated Him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. Now He is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come. God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made Him head over all things for the benefit of the church. And the church is His body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with Himself. Ephesians 1:19-23 (NLT)

References

Life Application Study Bible (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Pub., 2005).

Life Essentials Study Bible (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2011).

Ryrie Study Bible (Chicago, IL: Moody, 1995).

The Holy Bible NIV 2011 (Grand Rapids, MI: Biblica, 2011).

The Living Bible (Tyndale House, 1971).

Wiersbe, Warren W. Bible Exposition Commentary – New Testament (Victor Books, 1989).