Luke 20:41-43 - Understanding God's Word

Luke 20:41-43 (ESV)

[41] But he said to them, “How can they say that the Christ is David’s son? [42] For David himself says in the Book of Psalms,

“‘The Lord said to my Lord,

“Sit at my right hand,

[43] until I make your enemies your footstool.”’

Jesus had been questioned by the Chief Priests and Scribes, and by the Sadducees. His answers silenced them. Now he turns the tables on them. He questions them. Jesus quotes from Psalm 110, a Messianic Psalm. They would have immediately known the context of the Psalm. They knew it was a prophecy about Messiah. Messiah was to be a son, a descendant, of David, yet he must be more than that. In this Psalm written by David, Messiah is called Lord. A King would never call his descendent Lord. David must have understood that the coming Messiah was much more than his descendant. Messiah would sit at the right hand of the Lord. Messiah is Lord.

They knew the Scriptures. They knew this passage. They had studied it. They had memorized it. But they missed its point. Messiah is Lord. Clearly in their questions to Jesus as well as his question to them it has become obvious that for all their study of the Scriptures, they did not understand what God was saying.

It makes me wonder how well we know the Word. Despite weekly sermons and Bible studies, and daily time in the Word, and devotional books and commentaries do we still miss the point? Do we understand what God is saying? Lord, open my eyes as I open your Word. May I never use your Word as a means of attacking a person or trying to make myself look good. That’s what the Priests, Scribes, and Sadducees were doing. May I rather hear what it is you are saying and respond appropriately.


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