Messiah Exalted Part 2, 10/8-10

08-10 October 2016 - Part 2 The Messiah Exalted – Manna by Dorothy

            Psalm 8:2 (NKJV) “Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants, You have ordained strength (to show strength) because of your enemies, that You may silence the enemy and the avenger.” Ps. 8:2 (NLT) “You have taught children and nursing infants to give you praise.  They silence your enemies who were seeking revenge.”

            Christ is the center and principal (most important; chief) subject of this messianic psalm 8, and it is so interpreted by the Lord Jesus Himself.

            Matthew tells us that, on one occasion (happen one time), He entered the temple and drove out all those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the moneychangers and the seats of those who sold doves (Matt. 21:12), 

            The religious leaders were the one who allowed this commercial (market place) to make a profit by using the Court of the Gentiles.  The design of the Court system: The Temple has Inner Court, Altar, Court of Men, and the Court of Women which is for the Israelites only. Then next was the large area, the Court of the Gentiles, where all the nations are gathered for one purpose, “A House of Prayer.”

            Jesus said to the religious leaders, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer,’ but you have turned it a den of thieves” (Matt. 21:13 NLT).  After cleansing the temple of the merchants (a buyer and seller of goods for profit), then the blind and the lame came to Him, and He healed them there in the Temple.

            Now when the children saw the miracles, their voices rang out in the temple, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” (Matt. 21:15).  Hosanna means “Save now” (Ps. 118:25 “Save now, I beseech (to ask earnestly for) thee, O Lord: O Lord, I beseech thee, send now prosperity (make success for us).

            In other words, the children in the temple were calling upon the Messiah to deliver them now.  The chief priests and scribes looked on in religious silence with contempt (dislike), and ignorant (having no understanding) of the truth that this was the fulfillment of verse 2.

            The religious leaders said to Jesus, “Do you hear what these are saying?”  The religious leaders were shocked because the children proclaimed (announced) Him to be the promised Messiah. Then Jesus quoted verse 2 of Psalm 8: “Yes. Have you never read, ‘Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have perfected praise?” (Matt. 21:16 NKJV).

            God used the children in the temple to exalt the Messiah and fulfill this messianic prophecy of Psalm 8:2. Did the religious leaders get this message?  No! Because they were blind that Jesus was truly the coming Messiah.  The children recognized Jesus as their Messiah and sang to Him, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” Praise God for this!

Song: Hosanna, Loud Hosanna

     (Lyrics: Jennette Threlfall, Sing His Praise)

Hosanna, loud hosanna, The little children sang;

Through pillared court and temple, The lovely anthem rang;

To Jesus, who had blessed them, Close folded to His breast,

The children sang their praises, The simplest and the best,

“Hosanna in the highest!” That ancient song we sing,

For Christ is our Redeemer, The Lord of heaven our King.

Oh, may we ever praise Him With heart and life and voice,

And in His blissful presence Eternally rejoice!