Recognize Christ

March 17-21, 2014 - Recognize Christ – Manna by Dorothy Callies

Matthew 22:41, NCV “What do you think about the Christ?”

            Reading from Matthew 22:41-46, NLT “Then, surrounded by the Pharisees, Jesus asked them a question: “What do you think about the Messiah? Whose son is he?” They replied, “He is the son of David.” Jesus responded, “Then why does David, speaking under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, call him Lord? For David, said, ‘The Lord said to my Lord, Sit in honor at my right hand until I humble your enemies beneath your feet. Since David called him Lord, how can he be his son at the same time?” No one could answer him. And after that, no one dared to ask Him any more questions.”

            It was the Lord’s last week on earth. He had just been challenged four different times by four different religious leaders. He had met each group and answered their questions. Christ had silenced those who opposed His claim to be the Messiah. And now it was His turn to ask the most important question of all, “What do you think about the Christ?” Pharisees recognized that Christ was descendant of David. They were right, but Jesus wanted to help them to recognize something else, too.

            Jesus pointed out the claim of Scripture—the Messiah is Lord. David called the Messiah, Lord in the Spirit; that is, David’s words were spoken under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. God was directing him. David said that “the Lord [Jehovah God] said to my Lord [the Messiah].” The Messiah is exalted by God.

            David said that my Lord’s “enemies are to be made His footstool.” The Messiah is Lord, for all His enemies are to be subjected under Him. “That the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth: and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Ph.2:10-11).

            The common idea among the religious leaders was that the Messiah, the Son of David was to overthrew the Roman empires and take over the kingly rule which the Pharisees were waiting for. The Pharisees know that the Messiah would be a descendant of David, but they did not understand that Jesus would be God himself and the Messiah would be greater than David.

            It was the same week that the religious leaders had put Him on trials. They only accepted Him as a descendant of David whom they expect the Messiah to rule, but they did not expect Him to claim that He was the Son of God. Therefore they could not accept His Word of truth that He was greater than David. So they rejected Him even though Christ tried to give them a chance to understand that He was indeed the Son of God and that God was His Father.

            When Jesus was at the cross, they yelled at Him, “If you are truly the Son of God, come down and save us,” like a King who has power to change things. I am thankful that Christ finished the work at the Calvary so that we could be saved.

            A song came to my heart at this moment: Isn’t He wonderful, wonderful, wonderful? Isn’t Jesus my Lord wonderful? Eyes have seen, ears have heard, what’s recording in God’s Word. Isn’t Jesus my Lord wonderful? (Author: Unknown)

            Oh, the riches of His Word abide in our hearts. May His Presence be full of joy! Do you recognize Christ, our Messiah? Truly, He is the Son of God!