Announcing the Messiah (Part 1)
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Introduction
Introduction
Today we begin Advent—the time when we celebrate the coming of the Messiah, Jesus. It is a wonderful time of year, but so often the season is hijacked. It becomes more about presents, decorations, and parties than it is about a Savior which is Christ the Lord.
This year, over the next four weeks, we are going to take a break from our study in the book of Mark, and look at some of the key prophecies about the coming of Jesus. This morning we are going to begin our study by looking a Psalm that was written by Kind David.
If you have your Bibles, I want to encourage you to turn with me to Psalm 110. We’ll begin reading with verse 1.
The Lord says to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.”
Proclamation
Proclamation
As we begin looking at this verse you will notice the same English word Lord is used twice in the first phrase. However in the Hebrew it is not the same word. The first LORD is the Hebrew word YHWH or Yahovah. This is a reference to God and was the name that the Jews would not say.
The second Lord is the adon—which can be translated Lord, lord, master, or owner.
So YHWH is making a proclamation to His earthly regent or ruler. In this proclamation He make two proclamations:
Sit at my right hand—this earthly king that God is talking to will be his vice regent here on earth.
God is going to make the enemies of this king a footstool for his feet—his enemies will all be conquered. In case you missed it, this very theme will be continued in the following verses.
We know this is a verse about the Messiah because it is repeated in the New Testament as a Messianic verse. Jesus used this verse in Luke 20.
Then Jesus said to them, “How is it that they say the Christ is the Son of David? David himself declares in the Book of Psalms: “ ‘The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.” ’ David calls him ‘Lord.’ How then can he be his son?”
Peter used this passage in his speech at Pentecost in Acts chapter 2.
For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said, “ ‘The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.” ’ “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”
And we could go on and on, because this verse is quoted some 27 times in the New Testament.
The Rule of the Master
The Rule of the Master
When we come to verse 2 we are given some information about the Messiah’s earthly kingdom.
The Lord will extend your mighty scepter from Zion; you will rule in the midst of your enemies. Your troops will be willing on your day of battle. Arrayed in holy majesty, from the womb of the dawn you will receive the dew of your youth.
One day, Jesus will rule from Zion—Jerusalem. There will be people who hate His rule—enemies that don’t want to be under the Messiah’s rule. But they won’t have a choice, because the Messiah’s troops are ready and willing to do battle.
When Messiah comes to rule over His enemies His people will willingly join in His reign. Look at Judges 5:2
“When the princes in Israel take the lead, when the people willingly offer themselves— praise the Lord!
They will be holy in contrast to the unholy whom Messiah will subdue. They will be as youthful warriors, strong and energetic.
They will be as the dew in the sense of being fresh, numerous, and a blessing from God. The expression “from the womb of the dawn” probably signifies their early appearance during Messiah’s reign. Later revelation identifies these people as faithful believers.
You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.”
This kingdom of priests are the army of the Messiah—with the power and energy of youth—to defend the Messiah’s kingdom here on earth.
Next God promises that He will not change His mind! Look at verse 4.
A Priest Like Melchizedek
A Priest Like Melchizedek
The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind: “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.”
It is easy to pas this over, but it is really important. God said the Messiah would be from the House of David, and that He would function like a priest for the people. But being from the linage of David—He cannot be a “priest” because all of the priests were descendents of Aaron.
But Jesus is from in the order of Melchizedek. Melchizedek was the king of Salem (Jerusalem). We see him in Genesis 14:18.
Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High,
And the author of Hebrews also mentions him in Hebrews 7:1.
This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and blessed him, and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, his name means “king of righteousness”; then also, “king of Salem” means “king of peace.” Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, like the Son of God he remains a priest forever.
Jesus is the Son of God and so He is a priest like Melchizedek.
The Victorious Messiah King
The Victorious Messiah King
This Messiah, this Lord is mighty. Look at verse 5.
The Lord is at your right hand; he will crush kings on the day of his wrath. He will judge the nations, heaping up the dead and crushing the rulers of the whole earth. He will drink from a brook beside the way; therefore he will lift up his head.
Jesus is in the place of Honor—at the right hand of God the Father.
He is Powerful—crushing kings with His wrath!
He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty.
He is the Judge—He judges the nations, and they come up short. So their dead are heaped up. And the rulers of the earth are crushed!
And I saw an angel standing in the sun, who cried in a loud voice to all the birds flying in midair, “Come, gather together for the great supper of God, so that you may eat the flesh of kings, generals, and mighty men, of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, small and great.”
Meanwhile, this righteous refreshes the Messiah—after watching all of the evil that has run rampant over the earth, removing it energized Him.
SO WHAT?
SO WHAT?
During the Advent Season we celebrate a Baby in a manger! But one day we will celebrate a conquering King. A King who administers justice to the entire world!
This passage, is mentioned throughout the New Testament—Jesus is the Messiah born of a virgin in a lowly manger, but one day, He will return as the King of all kings, and the Lord over all lords!
Jesus is, and will be LORD over All!