Mark 12:35-37

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The Great Paradox: David's Son as Our Lord

Bible Passage: Mark 12:35-37

Summary: In Mark 12:35-37, Jesus presents a thought-provoking question about the identity of the Messiah being both David's descendant and his Lord, revealing profound truths about His divine nature and authority.
Application: This passage invites us to reflect on Christ’s dual nature as God and man. In times of confusion or difficulty, understanding Jesus as both our Savior and Sovereign can provide comfort and direction in our lives.
Teaching: The sermon teaches that Jesus fulfills the role of the Messiah in a way that transcends human understanding—He is the fulfillment of prophecy while also being the divine authority that commands our hearts and lives.
How this passage could point to Christ: This theme points to how Jesus, as the promised Messiah, embodies the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, reinforcing the continuity of God's plan from the Davidic lineage to Christ's kingship.
Big Idea: Jesus Christ, the Son of David, is also our Lord, highlighting the authority and divinity that challenge our perceptions and invite us to submit fully to His lordship.
Recommended Study: For a deeper understanding, you might consider exploring the meaning of Messiah in Jewish theology and how this contrasts with first-century views, which you can find in your Logos library. Additionally, examining the linguistic nuances of the term 'Lord' in the original texts may illuminate how this concept was understood by Jesus' audience. Consider looking at cross-references to David's lineage and messianic prophecies to enrich your sermon.

1. Challenging Conventional Views

Mark 12:35
You could consider how Jesus challenges the prevailing understanding of the Messiah by asking how the scribes can claim the Christ is merely the son of David. This point focuses on how Jesus invites us to reconsider our limited perceptions of His identity and mission, leading us to an awareness of His divine authority over our lives.

2. Clarifying David's Lord

Mark 12:36
Perhaps explore how Jesus references Psalm 110 to reveal the dual nature of the Messiah as David's Lord. This point emphasizes the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy and His authority over all creation, encouraging believers to recognize Christ's divine lordship in their personal lives.

3. Compelling Us to Submit

Mark 12:37
Maybe reflect on how the crowd's reaction to Jesus' teaching invites us to respond to Him as both Savior and Sovereign. This point could emphasize the reality that acknowledging Jesus as both David's son and Lord compels us to fully submit to His kingship, impacting every area of our life.

The Lordship of Christ: Understanding His Authority

Bible Passage: Mark 12:35-37

Summary: In Mark 12:35-37, Jesus interrogates the religious leaders, using the authoritative text of Scripture to assert His identity as both the Son of David and divine Lord. This confrontation emphasizes His authority in interpreting Scripture and challenges the expectations of the Messiah, compelling us to recognize who truly holds sovereignty over spiritual matters.
Application: This passage can help Christians deepen their understanding of Jesus’ authority in their lives. In a world with myriad voices claiming authority, recognizing Jesus as the ultimate Lord can guide decision-making and bring clarity amidst confusion and moral ambiguity.
Teaching: The sermon teaches the importance of acknowledging Christ's authority, both as the one who fulfills God’s promises and as the ruler of our lives. It calls on believers to re-evaluate who they allow to have authority in their spiritual journeys.
How this passage could point to Christ: The Christological focus here reveals Jesus as the one who fulfills the entire scope of Old Testament prophecy while establishing His divine authority. It illustrates that He is not just an echo of David’s line, but the sovereign who reigns eternally over God's kingdom.
Big Idea: Recognizing Jesus as both David’s Son and our Lord reshapes our understanding of authority in our lives—challenging us to honor Him above all other claims to authority, leading to a transformative faith and life.
Recommended Study: In your Logos library, consider investigating the historical context of Psalm 110 to grasp its significance in Jewish thought when Jesus quoted it. You might also explore how Jesus’ question relates to prophetic expectations of the Messiah during His time, as it could prove beneficial for your sermon preparation. Finally, examining the implications of Christ's authority in light of the early church's understanding can offer insight into how this truth might transform today's church.

1. Questioning the Scribes

Mark 12:35
You could consider the way Jesus engages with the scribes over their understanding of the Messiah. By asking about the identity of David’s son, Jesus encourages us to recognize that the Messiah is not just a historical figure, but one who holds eternal and divine authority. This point underscores the importance of turning to Jesus as the source of ultimate truth in our lives, above any earthly authority.

2. Quoting the Psalms

Mark 12:36
Perhaps emphasize how Jesus highlights His divine authority by referencing the Psalms, showing that the Messiah is exalted at God’s right hand. This not only asserts His kingship but calls us to examine whose authority we accept in our own lives. By understanding that Jesus has both power and divine appointment, believers are challenged to respond with obedience and worship, aligning their lives under His rule.

3. Revealing the Lord

Mark 12:37
Maybe focus on the response Jesus prompted from His audience, compelling them to reconsider their expectations of the Messiah. This acknowledgement of Jesus as both Lord and Son invites us to a deeper faith that surpasses tradition and embraces the living authority of Christ. It challenges believers today to let go of preconceived notions and fully embrace the transformative power of Jesus’ reign in their daily lives.

The Divine Authority of the Messiah

Bible Passage: Mark 12:35-37

Summary: In Mark 12:35-37, Jesus confronts the religious leaders about their understanding of the Messiah by posing a challenging question about David's view of Him. This interaction reveals deeper insights into the true nature of the Messiah, illustrating that He is not only a descendant of David but also possesses a higher divine authority and is the fulfillment of God's promises.
Application: This passage encourages believers to understand Christ's authority in their lives, especially when navigating cultural confusion or spiritual disarray. By affirming Jesus’ rightful place as both Son and Lord, Christians are inspired to seek His guidance in every aspect of their lives and to trust in His power.
Teaching: The sermon teaches about the significance of recognizing Jesus as the authoritative divine figure who transcends human understanding. It emphasizes the importance of aligning our beliefs with the revelation of Christ as both human and divine, reinforcing a robust understanding of faith.
How this passage could point to Christ: This theme reflects the centrality of Jesus in redemptive history, underscoring that His dual nature is essential for understanding God’s plan. Through Christ, the promise to David is fulfilled, and His authority as Lord is acknowledged throughout Scripture, linking the Old Testament and the New.
Big Idea: True understanding of Christ as both David's Son and divine Lord compels us to relinquish any doubts about His authority and to embrace the radical transformation that comes through yielding to that authority in our lives.
Recommended Study: In preparation, consider utilizing Logos to delve into the interpretations of Psalm 110, which is quoted by Jesus, to uncover its implications for messianic identity in Jewish belief. You might explore historical debates surrounding the identity of the Messiah to better understand the weight of Jesus' question to the Pharisees. Additionally, studying early church responses to Christ's authority could provide valuable perspectives on how this passage informs contemporary faith practices.

1. Questioning Common Concepts

Mark 12:35
You could open by pointing out how Jesus publicly questions the Pharisees’ teachings about the Messiah. This sets the stage for understanding the Messiah not just as a human descendant of David but as possessing divine authority. Perhaps, emphasize the need for Christians to examine the depth of their understanding of Jesus. Challenge the congregation to see beyond traditional or cultural views and grasp the full picture of Christ’s identity, which includes His divine authority, paving the way for genuine transformation in their devotion.

2. Quoting Eternal Authority

Mark 12:36
Perhaps, delve into the significance of Jesus quoting Psalm 110, where David calls the Messiah "Lord." Highlight this divine revelation that surpasses human logic—understanding how Christ can be both descendant and sovereign. You could illustrate the transformative power of acknowledging Jesus as Lord in every area of life. Encourage believers to rely on His ultimate authority to navigate personal challenges and societal pressures, drawing inspiration from His kingship and eternal purpose revealed in this verse.

3. Crowd's Delightful Discovery

Mark 12:37
You could conclude by exploring the reaction of the crowd, who were delighted by Jesus’ teaching, and discuss why accepting the Messiah as both Son and Lord is liberating. Emphasize that this acknowledgment requires believers to fully trust Christ’s authority in their lives, inviting transformation and peace. Maybe stress how such recognition calls for a life submitted to His guidance and a faith that transcends understanding, allowing Jesus to shape every decision and action taken.

35 Then Jesus answered and said, while He taught in the temple, “How is it that the scribes say that the Christ is the Son of David? 36 For David himself said by the Holy Spirit:

‘The LORD said to my Lord,

“Sit at My right hand,

Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.” ’

37 Therefore David himself calls Him ‘Lord’; how is He then his Son?”

And the common people heard Him gladly.

Who is the Jesus you Follow?

8 And He said: “Take heed that you not be deceived. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and, ‘The time has drawn near.’ Therefore do not go after them.

Are you truly following God incarnate?
God in the flesh.
Are you following Jesus who is fully man and fully God. He is both human and God at the same time. This makes Him both the Son of Man and the Son of God. The Bible tells us that this as a mystery.
Jesus has answered all the questions that were asked of Him.
He never falls in to any of their traps. He has left them speechless and wondering “Who is this”
They question His authority. They question His power. They doubt His Lordship. They plot against the Lord to put Him to death.
Polycarp was an early Church Father. He said this about the incarnation of Christ

7.1 For everyone who does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is an antichrist,  and whoever does not confess the testimony of the cross is from the devil,  and whoever twists the sayings of the Lord for one’s own sinful passions, and says that there is neither resurrection  nor judgment, this one is the firstborn of Satan

Satan will do everything he can to keep you from understanding and accepting Jesus as God in the flesh.
If he can get you to believe that Jesus is only a good man, a good teacher.
2 out of 5 people that claim to be Christians believe this lie.
That is 44% of people that go to Church do not believe that Jesus is God.
53% of Americans believe that Jesus was a good teacher but not God.
Why does the world use His name as a cuss word? Profaning His name.
Why will you never hear the name of Buddha or Mohammed used in the same way?
Why is this so offensive to us?
Who was Jesus.
If Satan can blind your eyes to make you believe that Jesus was just a ‘Good teacher’ what else can he get you to believe.
The devil will do everything he can to minimize the Majesty and the Glory, Power, Holiness, Righteousness and deity of Jesus in your minds.
What ever you think, then your heart is not far away.
He wants you to downplay Jesus as much as possible. The more you down play that Jesus is God in the flesh the less you will look up to Him!
There will then be less dependency. Then less trust, the less obedience. With all of this comes less submission. No submission equals no repentance. No repentance means no Salvation. No Salvation means separation from this Jesus that you thought was a’ Good’ teacher but found out to late that He is God in the Flesh.
We need Immanuel , God with us!
Do we hold the real Christ in our hearts?
At the end of Verse 34 it says that they questioned Him no more.
The educated Pharisees and Scribes were not able argue the answers Jesus gave about paying to Cesar, divorce, the Resurrection. And Jesus even answered what the Greatest of all 613 Commandments is, Love God with all of our being and the second like it love others as you live yourself.
No more questions from their plotting hearts.
Jesus now has a question for them.

35 Then Jesus answered and said, while He taught in the temple, “How is it that the scribes say that the Christ is the Son of David?

Jesus ask the Pharisees a question about the Christ from the temple.
The Scribes were the Scholars. They were the religious experts. They should have had the answer to His question.
What does Christ mean?
What does Messiah mean?
They both mean the Anointed One.
Christ is Greek, Messiah is Hebrew.
Remember there was a Scribe that asked Jesus about the Greatest Commandment.
Jesus answers. The Scribe agrees with answer that Jesus gave him.
What does Jesus tell Him .
‘You are not far from the Kingdom of God’.
Why would Jesus say such a thing?
The Scribe was so close to taking the knowledge of the Scriptures and allowing it to penetrate his heart and not just his mind.
We can have knowledge of the God of the Scripture but fail to recognize Him. If we can not recognize Him how do we follow Him.
Jesus would ask this question in the Temple. This is were all the religious leaders would be. The Pharisees, The Sadducee, the Scribes. They would all gather in the Temple to hear the Word of God. One thing they did not realize is the God in the a Flesh was the One speaking to them.
Earlier Jesus had asked His Disciples Jesus had earlier raised the issue of His identity to the disciples
in private who they thought He was.

13 When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?”

14 So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”

16 Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

17 Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.

Jesus challenges the understanding of the Messiah. The Pharisees, The Sadducee and the Scribes had a different understanding of who the Messiah, The Christ was.
The wanted a hero not a Savior. The expected a man to sit on the same throne as King David. David was a Warrior King.
David wanted to build God a Holy Temple as He deserved. But God did not allow David because David had too much blood on His hands.
But Jesus would come from the line of David. Jesus would establish the Forever Kingdom! Eternal, Everlasting. Saving the souls of sinners. Bringing them from filthiness to Righteousness.
Instead of Blood being on His hands, His Precious Blood would flow from them!
One of the hardest things for us is to explain just who Jesus is.
Do you know?
Could you explain to someone. Could you explain to the atheist that doesn’t believe. Or can you speak to someone that thinks that Jesus is a fairy tale. That He never existed. He was just a delusional crazy man.
He is more than the Savior of the World. He is more than the One to take away the sins of the world. He is more than we could expect and more than we deserve.
Jesus of Nazareth the Messiah, The Christ, is God in the flesh!
Sometimes the answers we give are only partially right.
We can give a Testimony of His Goodness to us. We can tell the masses how He saved us from the pits of Hell. We can explain in detail what He has cured with a passion that comes from the depths of your Healed hearts!
But can you explain in the same detail and with the same passion of WHO He is?
There is always a misunderstanding who Jesus is. The unfortunate thing is many times it comes from His Followers.
We tend to make Him who He is not.
In the early Church there were many different beliefs about Who Jesus Of Nazareth was.
Church councils were called for centuries after the life of Jesus to deal with the question. You see, through time, heresies always come up to clarify the person of Christ.
A heresy is a teaching or a belief that goes against or contradicts the FACTS the Bible.
In 325 AD, the Council of Nicaea came together and met to deal with something called the Arian controversy.
A man named Arias was teaching Jesus was not God – He was of a different essence than the Father.
Arias was condemned as a heretic, and the essential and equal deity of Jesus was affirmed.
One of the out comes was the Nicene Creed. Where all the Bishops came together to proclaim exactly who Jesus is.
This is the original Nicene Creed :
We believe in one God, the Father almighty,
maker of all things visible and invisible;
And in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the Son of God,
begotten from the Father, only-begotten,
that is, from the substance of the Father,
God from God, light from light,
true God from true God, begotten not made,
of one substance with the Father,
through Whom all things came into being,
things in heaven and things on earth,
Who because of us men and because of our salvation came down,
and became incarnate and became man, and suffered,
and rose again on the third day, and ascended to the heavens,
and will come to judge the living and dead,
And in the Holy Spirit.
But as for those who say, There was when He was not,
and, Before being born He was not,
and that He came into existence out of nothing,
or who assert that the Son of God is of a different hypostasis or substance,
or created, or is subject to alteration or change
– these the Catholic and apostolic Church anathematizes.
Anathematizes. Anathema.
Does anyone know what that means. It’s a Greek word that means
Cursed. It is “a person or thing accursed or consigned to damnation or destruction.” eternally condemned.
This word is actually used six times in the New Testament.
Anyone that would not acknowledge the deity of Jesus coming from the same of one substance with the Father would be cursed.
What happened unfortunately was those heresies that came up came up because people were trying to define who Jesus is.
This question is the foundation of our Faith! It is such an important question that Jesus Himself asked the Disciples that very question.
“But who do you say that I am?”
“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
The Lord asks this of His friends and followers in private, now He asks His enemies in public.
We have to learn to realize some people need more time and more information.
Planting the seeds of the Gospel by answering questions and asking questions of those who are doubters is always a good thing. But how will you answer?
The Lord’s question to these Religious leaders was one last and final plead to those who might have been open to accept the Gospel and accept Jesus as the Messiah.
Jesus’ question was an offering of Salvation.
How?

“How is it that the scribes say that the Christ is the Son of David? 36 For David himself said by the Holy Spirit:

‘The LORD said to my Lord,

“Sit at My right hand,

Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.” ’

Jesus is quoting directly from Psalm 110.
It’s a theological question. Every good Jew was looking for the Messiah. They had read and learned about the Messiah.
Sometimes we get a picture in our mind of what and how things should be. When it not we are not sure what believe.
Jesus asks, whose son will He be?
Therefore David himself calls Him ‘Lord’; how is He then his Son?”
Is it true Messiah will be the Son of David?
Now, know the question behind the question is, is that all Christ is?
The Son of David, or is there more to the Messiah?
Jesus is wanting them to not only agree that the Messiah would be the son of David, a human person but that He would also be divine, the Son of God.
Jesus is trying to get them to see the Messiah to be fully man and fully God.
2 Samuel 7:12–14

“When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will set up your seed after you, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be his Father, and he shall be My son. If he commits iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men and with the blows of the sons of men.

 The Messiah would be a descendant of David. But the problem is they believed the Messiah would only be a descendant of David.
They believed that He would be nothing more than a powerful military and political leader. Someone that would deliver Israel from their enemies and establish the promised Kingdom.
So many people had recognized Jesus as the Christ.
To these people Jesus was the Messiah promised in the Old Testament. He was the Son of David.
 They believed Jesus had come to deliver them and bring peace. The problem was they only saw Jesus as a man, only a human. They saw Him as the Son of David, not the Son of God.
There are a lot of people like that today. They agree and believe that Jesus existed. They believe that He lived, He loved people, He pointed people to God, He had a good message about treating people right and serving others and blessing others.
For some of them, they even will add that Jesus did miracles. Many believe that Jesus was Crucified and that He died.
They believe that Jesus is real and that He existed, but they don’t believe that He was God in the flesh.
People have trouble that He resurrected from the grave and He is Lord of lords and King of kings.
It’s good to believe that Jesus is fully human and that He existed and did a lot of great and wonderful things. But there is more to Jesus, much more, that as His followers we need to believe and understand.  
This would be in the Wednesday before His Death on a Cross. They would not and could not understand that Jesus is God in the Flesh, Jesus the Messiah, Jesus the Christ was about to die for their sins. But He was also going to rise for their Eternity by conquering death!
Who do you say He is!
Why is it important to know that Jesus Christ is fully man and fully God?
We have to know and understand that the Messiah, The Christ has two natures. Truly human and the Divine Eternal God.
As a man, He was born to a Virgin. He worked with His hands as a carpenter. He hungered and thirsted. He ate, He drank. He slept He woke. He suffered loss. He endured pain. He felt loneliness. He dealt with sorrow. He was accused. He was tempted.
As God He never sinned. He created all things. He rules and governs all things He created. He performed miracles. He healed the physical sick, emotionally hurt and even raised the dead.
He sees all, is all and is the Judge of all. As God and man, combined in one person, He suffered for man, died for man, rose again for man
He calls the heart to repentance and gives remission of sins to be preached in the world, in His Mighty Name.
He forgives the confessed iniquity.
He gives the gifts of grace and mercy all because He loves His Creation.
Philippians 2:5-11

5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Who is Jesus?
How will you answer?
Isaiah 9:6-7

6 For unto us a Child is born,

Unto us a Son is given;

And the government will be upon His shoulder.

And His name will be called

Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

7 Of the increase of His government and peace

There will be no end,

Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,

To order it and establish it with judgment and justice

From that time forward, even forever.

The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

John 1:1-5

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God.

The Preincarnate Work of Christ

3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shined in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

John 1:14-18

14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

15 John bore witness of Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me is preferred before me, for He was before me.’ ”

16 And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.

As followers of Jesus the Christ we don’t follow a man. We follow the God-Man. We follow the Lord Jesus Christ. We follow the perfect Lamb of God. We follow the Alpha and Omega. We follow the King of kings and the Lord of lords!
Who is Jesus.
How will you answer.
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