Thurs 10th Sept - #106. Just like the crowd?
In this morning’s reading we hit one of the main points of Mark’s gospel - Jesus’ identity.
Knowing who Jesus is, changes everything. If He was just a great teacher - great, but that won’t save me! If He was a good man - wow! But that doesn't save me. But if what He said and did are true and that believing Him will bring you eternal life (1 John 5:11), now that's something else!
At the end of the reading we are told that the large crowd listened to Jesus with delight. Jesus was reminding them of His identity through the lens of King David. The teachers of the law want to tie Jesus up in theological knots but Jesus is able to defend and speak clearly to the teachers through His words.
Let’s read the gospel now -
Mark 12:35-37
35 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? 36 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.’”_
37 David himself calls him “Lord”. How then can he be his son?’_
The large crowd listened to him with delight._
Donald English in his very helpful commentary on Mark says this
“It is not the Davidic (human) line that matters more: it is this anointed (divine) line that is superior.
As we consider this reading, know that Jesus is superior to all.
You will have all kinds of things that will trouble you but know Jesus is superior to all situations and all people.
You will not have all the answers, you might feel weak but listen to Jesus and delight in Him, just like the crowd.
Much love
Tim