Skip to main content

Lent Day 26


Scripture Reading

Matthew 22:41-46


The religious leaders of Jesus' day had been asking him questions in order to trap him in a lie or blasphemy. In this passage the Pharisees are asked a question that every person must answer at some point in their lives. "What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?" The Pharisees answered according to what the Jews believed about the lineage of the Messiah. They knew that God had promised David that the Messiah was to be one of David's descendants. Jesus responded to the Pharisee's answer by quoting scripture in which David calls the Messiah (Christ) his Lord. Jesus' question confuses the Pharisees. What Jesus was pointing out and what the Pharisees refused to see was that the Messiah was not only a descendant of David, he was David's Lord. 


The question for each of us is what do we think about the Christ? Are we silent and confused like the Pharisees? Do we acknowledge God with our lips but nothing in our heart testifies that we know him? Can we, like David, call him our Lord? The truth that Jesus is the Christ is a truth that each of us must either accept or reject. After we have acknowledged Jesus as our Lord we must live each day of our live for him. Today Jesus is asking you the same question he asked the Pharisees, "What do you think about the Christ?" 


Prayer: Lord, I confess that Jesus is the Christ, the long awaited Messiah. I believe that he is your son, a descendant of David, and David's Lord, as he is my Lord. May my life reflect the Lordship of Jesus today and everyday. Amen.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Grieving With Hope

This past week has brought a sense of heaviness in my heart. My oldest child graduated from high school. She has achieved all that I could have possibly dreamed she would up to this point in life. To say I'm proud is an understatement. Completion of high school also means that life in our family is shifting. It won't quite be the same because she will experience a new season of life that will bring fresh experiences and countless life lessons. As I've talked to Cyd the last few days we both agree we feel a sense of sadness while simultaneously finding our hearts filled with hope for what is to come for our graduate.  Truthfully, the heaviness I feel is linked to other factors. For starters, this week marks 11 years since my Dad died from pancreatic cancer. I'm not a big death anniversary kind of person, but reaching a milestone with a child makes you miss a parent even more. The interesting thing about grief is that for most people, not a day goes by that you don't ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Lent Day 40

Scripture Reading Matthew 21:1-9 Today is Palm Sunday, the day that we prepare for Easter by celebrating Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Some churches celebrate Palm Sunday by having children enter the sanctuary waving palm branches as a reminder of this sacred day. Other churches will have people waving palm branches lining the center aisle of the church as someone dressed as Jesus enters the sanctuary. In both instances, what is happening is a visual reminder of the majesty of Jesus Christ who is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  The reaction of the crowd represents their acknowledgement of Jesus as the long-expected Messiah. The greeting that Jesus received (vs.9) was used in Psalm 118 to greet pilgrims as they entered Jerusalem during the Feast of the Tabernacles. Hosanna essentially means "save," but was probably used here as an exclamation of praise to Jesus. The phrase Son of David describes Jesus' fulfillment that the Messiah would be a descendant ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Lent Day 43

Scripture Reading Matthew 26:14-25 Have you ever betrayed someone? Betrayal...even the word evokes horrible images. Betrayal can take the form of unfaithfulness to a spouse or love one, lying or telling partial truth. It can take many different forms. Have you ever spoken cruelly about someone behind their back or have you chosen to not stand up for someone who is the punch line of an ugly joke? Have you ever broken a promise to a friend or family member? I am guilty of all these things. We are quick to cast stones at Judas. Obviously, with good reason, he betrayed Christ into the hands of those who would crucify him. Judas was a part of God's plan for the world's redemption. I have to ask myself, in what ways am I like Judas? What in my life, in words, in heart and in actions, is betraying my devotion and love for God? What am I willing to "sell" my relationship with God in exchange for something else? There is always something that competes for our loyalty to Christ...
Post a Comment
Read more