31 May 2020 (am) – Mark 12:35-40

Andy Bruins preaching from Mark on Sunday 341st May 2020.

Mark 12:35-37 The Son of David

Having answered the 3 questions from the Jewish Council, Jesus now asks a question of His own. It was widely held (and taught) that the coming Messiah would come from the family line of king David. This was in line with the prophecies of the Old Testament, especially 2 Samuel chapter 7.

But Jesus draws their attention to Psalm 110. Here we have a psalm written by David himself, which was acknowledged to be forecasting the Messiah… and yet in the opening line, David calls his son “My Lord”, a title of highest honour, using a word that often referred to God Himself!

If the Messiah was to be merely a human descendent of David, why does he address him like this?

Summary: The hope of the Messiah is much bigger than the earthly reign of a king descended from David, He is in fact David’s (and our) LORD.

Q What does the title “Christ” mean? What was the prevailing view about the identity of the Messiah? So, what point is Jesus making with this question?

Q Take a look at the parallel account of this incident in Matthew’s gospel (Matthew 22:41-46). Who is Jesus engaging with this question? Luke makes it plain that Jesus is also directing this question towards the teachers of the law. Why do you think He finishes the dialogue between Himself and these leaders with this particular question?

Q In what ways might we “domesticate” Jesus today?