Who is the Messiah?

Who is Jesus? Who is the Messiah? For Christians this is one of the basic questions of faith. This following passage in Luke’s gospel deals with that question by noting a short controversy between Jesus and the leadership. Previous attempts to stump him had failed, but now Jesus will silence his opponents with a question about the most important figure in Jewish promise, the Son of David, Messiah. It is Jesus' turn to ask a question and seek answers. How will the leadership fare in the hot seat?

Jesus raises a rabbinic antinomy (A contradiction between principles or conclusions that seem equally necessary and reasonable; a paradox.) The question is asked both before and after a quotation of Psalm 110:1. "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?" Jesus' goal is not to deny either premise but to show a relationship between two concepts that otherwise might appear to be in tension. In effect, Jesus is saying, more important than Jesus being David's son is that he is David's Lord.

In fact, Jesus does not answer the question, nor does his audience. Instead the audience and Luke's reader are left to ponder it. (Excerpt from the IVP New Testament Commentaries series.)

It occurs to me that I might benefit as well from considering Jesus (non) answer to the question. Jesus speaks to us in many ways: nature, people, and events… In listening to Jesus in prayer, I can focus on Scripture as God’s word to me here and now. What the text meant to the original writers/ hearers, to others throughout history, may be helpful - but it can also distract from what God is saying to me now.

In any relationship, there is a great difference between hearing the words and really listening. So being attentive as I pray becomes essential.

Scripture is comparable to food. It needs to be taken in, chewed over, tasted, to be nourishing.

So today, as part of our Holy Week observance, let’s try something novel. Let’s let Jesus teach us through His Spirit.

Find a place that you can hide away, so that you don’t have to be inhibited in your response.

Let yourself relax. Take your tongue off of the roof of your mouth, and let your shoulders drop down and away from you ears.

Trust that Jesus is with you through His Spirit. It’s one of the things that He promises us in the Bible.

Simply begins to read Psalm 110 (below) as an act of prayer. Assume on His grace to listen, to hear His word to you now…

Use imagination, PICTURE the scene, become involved, with whom or what do I identify?

Read very slowly. PONDER. If you feel safe, you can even read aloud.

Repeat./Read/Ruminate/ Reflect/ Respond/ Rest.

If a word or phrase touches your heart, savor it, repeat it, rest in it, return to it in a later prayer period, carry it in your heart for the rest of the day – maybe even for the rest of your life.

Don’t hurry. Don’t try to look for lessons or profound thoughts.
(and if you find yourself in a sharing mood, let me know how it goes.)


Psalm 110
A David Prayer
1-3 The word of God to my Lord: "Sit alongside me here on my throne
until I make your enemies a stool for your feet."
You were forged a strong scepter by God of Zion;
now rule, though surrounded by enemies!
Your people will freely join you, resplendent in holy armor
on the great day of your conquest,
Join you at the fresh break of day,
join you with all the vigor of youth.

4-7 God gave his word and he won't take it back:
you're the permanent priest, the Melchizedek priest.
The Lord stands true at your side,
crushing kings in his terrible wrath,
Bringing judgment on the nations,
handing out convictions wholesale,
crushing opposition across the wide earth.
The King-Maker put his King on the throne;
the True King rules with head held high!

The Message