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The Law and the Messiah (2)

The Character of the Messiah (Christ)


In the second part of Matthew 22.34-46 Jesus asks them a question. It's an important question because it relates directly to the matters raised in the first question-and-answer section found in an earlier post which indirectly brings up the issue of what can be done about our failure to keep the Law.

Jesus takes his turn to ask them a question in line with the rules of formal debate of that time between disputants. He asks questions about the Messiah (Christ). 
Is the Messiah just a man or more than a man? This issue is the one on which Jesus is concerned to concentrate with them.

Whose son is He? Jesus asks. 
To which they reply, 'the son of David'.

Jesus draws their attention to Psalm 110.1 in which David says: The Lord (Jehovah) said to my Lord (the Messiah), 'Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet.'

Jesus presses his point, 'If David calls the Messiah 'Lord' how can the Messiah be his son?'

[At this point, we need to realise that it was accepted by the Pharisees that Ps 110.1 was a Messianic reference.]

We have now to see why the Pharisees were in a doctrinal jam. They were because they had a low view of the Messiah; they imagined him as a great but essentially human warrior who would come to deliver them from their enemies. 

Our Deliverer-Mediator Re the Law's Demands


But the inspired Scripture given by David says that although it may be correct to say that the Messiah is David's son he is far more than that. Firstly, He is David's 'Lord' or 'Master'. Secondly, He is placed at 'the right hand of God' and is to have 'God put His (Messiah's) enemies under His feet'. This position accords that One with divine status, far above David.

And that being the case, the Messiah can be a Deliverer who can mediate between God and man (1 Tim 2.5-6) because he is human and divine. No wonder that his question led to their loss of enthusiasm about asking Him questions. Jesus Himself was The Answer to their questions if only they had had eyes to see!

When we fail to love God rightly then to Jesus we must go. CS Lewis (in Mere Christianity) even suggested that it's perhaps a necessary step to try and try to keep the law of Love and to fail over and over again. In that way we learn that we cannot do it in our own strength; that our failure is God's opportunity to show His grace and our chance to experience His continuing forgiveness. 


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