March 14 | Mark 12:35-37

by Judy Webb

While Jesus was teaching in the temple courts, he asked, 'Why do the teachers of the law say that the Messiah is the son of David?' David himself, speaking by the Holy Spirit, declared:

"The Lord said to my Lord: Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet."

David, himself calls him ‘Lord.’ How then can he be his son?

"The large crowd listened to him with delight." (Mark 12:35-37)

Jesus is coming close to revealing his identity when he quotes from Psalm 110:1. “The Lord said to my Lord: Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet.”

Jesus poses the question to the large crowd gathered that day. “David himself calls him ‘Lord.’ How then can he be his son?” We understand this verse because as Christians we know Jesus was man and God, human and Divine. But those in the audience did not, yet they “listened with delight.” This is an interesting line, and the one that seems to jump off the page at me. What do you think? Often, I don’t understand scriptures either, but I listen. I know who God is and I know how my story relates to His. And He will make it clear in due time.

The Pharisees and scribes were listening, always lurking in the crowds which gather around Jesus, scooping up evidence to charge Him with crimes. They desperately needed to get rid of this man. He was spoiling everything for them.

I think sometimes we feel like the religious leaders of that day felt. If we accept Jesus into our hearts, we must change. Our lifestyle, our friends, everything we once held dear, unwittingly held up to the light, and found lacking. We may have to examine our ways. While this is so true, it is more than worth it.

Changed hearts = changed lives OR changed hearts change lives

Dear Heavenly Father,

When we turn to you and accept your Word, things change. Keep us focused on the good this change means for each of us and don't allow us to dwell on the loss... only the gain.