Mark 12:35-40 Son of David?
Format for Your Devotions
Instructions: Do not read my example devotion until you have completed your own devotional time in the scriptures. Reading my thoughts first may limit your own understanding. Let the Holy Spirit speak to you alone before looking to see what anyone else has to say, whether it is me, a Bible commentary, or a friend. Let God speak to you before you let another person speak to you. I have provided a format, but modify it to fit your needs. For example, I usually combine my application and prayer together talking to God about the application to my own life. You can go through this devotion process mentally, speaking out loud, or in writing as you wish. Don’t worry if you are not following this process exactly. Sometimes, I add extra information and sometimes I emphasize one part more than others. However, you should always think about what you learn about God from this passage.
Step 1: Pray–Ask for the Holy Spirit’s guidance first of all and that God may reveal the lessons that He wants you to have that day. Request that God protect you from Satan’s distractions (and the devil will try to distract you whether it is pinching the baby or putting you to sleep). Ask to see God more clearly as you read and think about the passage.
Step 2: Read the passage–Read to get an overview of the information first. Then start looking at specific parts after the first reading. You may read a larger or smaller section than I have here because you do not have to follow my organization at all.
Step 3: Understand the passage–You can summarize, ask and answer your own questions about the passage, visualize the story, analyze the characters, and relate this passage to other scriptures and personal experiences.
Step 4: What does this reveal about God?–What do you learn about the Father, Son, and/or Holy Spirit from this passage?
Step 5: Apply this to your own life.
Step 6: Prayer
My Example Devotion: March 27, 2018, Mark 12:35-40
Note: In the devotion examples, I leave my questions and thought processes in the text because I am trying to demonstrate that a devotional time is a dialogue with God about what you are reading from His word. As such, any questions or ideas that you have should be explored by talking it out with God. These example devotions are not my attempts to teach you what the meaning of a particular scripture is. They are an attempt to teach you the process of devotions, which is a combination of prayer and Bible study where you explore ideas with God as you read His word.
And as Jesus taught in the temple, he said, “How can the scribes say that the Christ is the son of David? David himself, in the Holy Spirit, declared, “‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet.”’ David himself calls him Lord. So how is he his son?” And the great throng heard him gladly. And in his teaching he said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes and like greetings in the marketplaces and have the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts, who devour widows’ houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”
(Understanding the Text) Jesus was still in the temple teaching after the questioning was finished. Now, Jesus brings up His own question for the scribes. He said that the scribes claimed that the Messiah would be the son of David. Then, Jesus brings up a seemingly contradictory statement from the Bible from one of David’s Psalms. “A Psalm of David. The LORD says to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.” The LORD sends forth from Zion your mighty scepter. Rule in the midst of your enemies! Your people will offer themselves freely on the day of your power, in holy garments; from the womb of the morning, the dew of your youth will be yours. The LORD has sworn and will not change his mind, “You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.” The Lord is at your right hand; he will shatter kings on the day of his wrath. He will execute judgment among the nations, filling them with corpses; he will shatter chiefs over the wide earth. He will drink from the brook by the way; therefore he will lift up his head” (Psalm 110:1-7). This is an obviously Messianic Psalm. Jesus points out that the Messiah is David’s lord, above him in rank.
(Revelation of God) Jesus’ point is that their expectations were too narrow. While it was true that the Messiah was the son of David, a descendent of David, it was not true that David was greater than the Messiah. Jesus was pointing out to the people that the Messiah had authority over even David; thus, the authority of the priests, councils, Pharisees, scribes, and Sadducees was lower than that of the Messiah. It seems to me that Jesus is still answering the question of whether He had authority to cleanse the temple. He was pointing out that one who had higher authority than the people and Jewish leaders of that time called the Messiah Lord giving the Messiah higher rank than the king of Israel.
(Understanding the Text) Then, Jesus talks about a seemingly unrelated topic, the scribes. However, I think He is still talking about the theme of authority. He has discussed His own authority as the Messiah, i.e. heavenly authority; now, He is discussing worldly authority. Worldly authority is marked by love of reputation, love of pomp and ceremony, love of privilege and honor, love of the spotlight, and a lack of love for others who have no influence or reputation.
(Application / Prayer) As I gain more authority, I have to be aware of the temptations involved. Am I humbly seeking to serve my Master in any way He wishes, or am I desiring an audience, recognition of my achievements, and privileges of being part of the in-group of leaders? Am I humbly serving others who need me or am I arrogantly making decisions for them? I think that lately I have been forgetful of the need to pray for love, and I have been making judgmental decisions for others. I ask for forgiveness for my selfish attitude and a clean heart to serve You better.