The streets of Jerusalem were tense. The air carried whispers of plots and schemes, the kind that feed on shadows and secrecy. It was the final week before Jesus would be crucified. With each passing day, His enemies—the scribes, the Pharisees, and the Sadducees—tightened their grip, desperate to entangle Him in His words.
They posed clever questions, hoping to ensnare Him with traps of logic or theology. Yet, every question hurled His way became a moment of revelation, a window into His wisdom and divinity. And then, the tables turned. Jesus asked them a question.
It was no ordinary question. It cut through pretense and ritual, slicing to the heart of their understanding. It was the kind of question that doesn’t just challenge the mind but pierces the soul: Who is the Christ?
The Most Important Question You Will Ever Face
“How is it,” Jesus asked, “that the scribes say that the Christ is the son of David?” (Mark 12:35). He continued, quoting Psalm 110:1, where David, speaking by the Holy Spirit, declares:
“The Lord said to my Lord, ‘Sit at My right hand, until I put Your enemies under Your feet.'”
David calls the Messiah “Lord.” How then can the Messiah also be his son?
This question isn’t a matter of mere theological curiosity. It’s not about abstract doctrine or intellectual exercise. It’s the question on which all of life pivots. Who is Christ?
Until you answer this, every other question—whether about morality, purpose, or eternity—is secondary. Because the answer to this question changes everything.
The Divine Inspiration of Scripture
Before diving into the implications of Jesus’ question, notice His view of Scripture. “David himself said in the Holy Spirit,” Jesus declared (Mark 12:36). Here, the Son of God affirms the divine inspiration of the Old Testament.
David’s words weren’t merely his own; they were breathed out by the Spirit of God. This is no small claim. It means that when we open the pages of the Bible, we encounter the very words of God—living, active, and true.
The Old Testament isn’t a relic of the past, nor is it simply a cultural artifact of ancient Israel. It is the foundation of the gospel, pointing us again and again to Christ. Every story, every prophecy, every psalm, and every shadow whispers His name. To read Scripture without seeing Jesus is to miss its heartbeat.
The Messiah: David’s Son and David’s Lord
The scribes believed the Messiah would be a descendant of David. In this, they were correct. God had promised David a royal lineage that would culminate in an eternal King. But they stopped short of understanding the full implications. Jesus pressed them to see what they had missed.
How could David call his own son “Lord”? In the culture of the time, no father would call his child “Lord.” This was not merely a familial matter; it was a theological one. David’s declaration in Psalm 110 reveals the mystery of the Messiah’s identity: He is both David’s son by human descent and David’s Lord by divine nature.
This truth finds its fulfillment in the person of Jesus Christ. Born of the Virgin Mary, He was a physical descendant of David. Yet, from eternity past, He has been the Son of God, the second person of the Trinity, through whom all things were made (John 1:1-3). In the incarnation, the divine and human natures united in one person—Jesus of Nazareth. This is the mystery of the hypostatic union, the cornerstone of Christian faith.
The Blindness of the Scribes
The scribes had fragments of the truth, but their understanding was incomplete. They saw the Messiah as a political liberator, a conqueror who would overthrow Rome and restore Israel’s glory. They failed to grasp the Messiah’s true mission: to redeem humanity from sin and death.
When Jesus confronted them with Psalm 110, they had no answer. Their silence was telling. They could not reconcile their limited expectations with the grandeur of God’s plan. And their failure to see the Messiah for who He truly was led to their ultimate crime: the crucifixion of the Lord of glory.
The Widow’s Offering: A Picture of True Devotion
After challenging the scribes, Jesus turned His attention to the temple treasury. He watched as people brought their offerings. The wealthy gave out of their abundance, placing large sums into the collection box. But then came a poor widow. She gave two small coins—all she had to live on.
Jesus called His disciples and said:
“Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury; for they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on” (Mark 12:43-44).
In this moment, Jesus revealed the heart of true worship. It’s not about the size of the gift but the sacrifice it represents. The widow’s offering was an act of absolute trust in God. She gave not from her surplus but from her sustenance, demonstrating that her hope was not in material wealth but in the God who provides.
The Challenge for Us Today
As we reflect on this passage, we are confronted with two questions:
- Who is Christ to you? Is He merely a great teacher, a prophet, or a moral example? Or is He the Son of God, David’s Lord, the Savior who gave His life for you?
- What is the measure of your devotion? Are you giving God your surplus—the leftovers of your time, energy, and resources? Or are you offering Him your whole heart, trusting Him with everything?
The scribes sought honor and recognition. They paraded their piety for public applause but lacked true devotion. In contrast, the widow’s quiet act of faith spoke volumes. She understood that God’s worth surpasses any earthly treasure.
The Cross: The Ultimate Answer to Who Christ Is
As the week unfolded, the question of Christ’s identity reached its climactic answer. David’s Lord, the eternal Son of God, was nailed to a cross. The crowd mocked Him, the soldiers scourged Him, and the religious leaders gloated. Yet, in that moment of apparent defeat, the truth of Psalm 110 was fulfilled. Christ took His place as the suffering servant, bearing the sins of the world.
But the story didn’t end there. On the third day, He rose again, triumphing over sin, death, and the grave. He ascended to the right hand of the Father, where He reigns as King of kings and Lord of lords. One day, every enemy will be placed under His feet, and His glory will fill the earth.
A Call to Worship and Obedience
Today, the question remains: Who is Christ to you? Will you recognize Him as both David’s Son and David’s Lord? Will you bow before Him, not merely with words but with your life?
Let the example of the widow inspire you to trust God completely. Let the authority of Christ compel you to worship Him wholeheartedly. And let the truth of His Word shape every thought, every decision, and every act of devotion.
The Christ of Psalm 110 is calling. How will you respond?
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