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First, Jesus spoke to a crowd of people, “Why do the teachers of the law say that the Messiah is the son of David? David himself, speaking by 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.’ How then can he be his son?” The key phrase here is same as today’s title, “David himself calls him Lord.” This passage in Hebrew, in Psalm 110:1 says “Yahweh said to my Lord. “David called Christ my Lord through the Holy Spirit. Jesus continues, “How then can he be his son? “ By saying this, he meant Jesus is the Messiah, the son of David, but at the same time he is the son of God. So have you noticed this fact that this Messiah was about to bring a new era? Even king David prophesied over this day. The new era, in the time of New Testament, people don’t get saved by following the law of the Old Testament. But the salvation comes through believing in the Messiah, and the new era was coming near to them.
Secondly, Jesus said, “Watch out for the teachers of the law.” He pointed out their wrong doings. Here, he mentioned 2 of their wrong attitudes. First one was that they were so obsessed with their authority. Jesus said, “They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted with respect in the marketplaces,” (38) Flowing robes were worn by scholars and the rich to show their authority. So the teachers of the law wore these to show how special and important they were. They also liked to have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets, and that also reveals their pride and boastfulness. Next, he also mentioned “They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers.” To devour widows’ houses means using the status of a professional lawyer to process a rich widow’s claim and steal their property. They had long prayers to make it look good. I would like to stop here and check what he means. For those who seek salvation through deeds, they tend to live a life like that naturally. The teacher of the law and Pharisees taught many rules that were not written in the Old Testament as “traditions”, as a result, they gave people heavy burdens. If you have the time, please open and read Matthew chapter 15. Jesus set us free from the burden that we can’t carry. Matthew 11:28-30 says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. … For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
In a life of believing in Christ, we can be free not only from any burdens but also from our pride. I want you know that you can also live a life of receiving the love of Christ everyday.
Thirdly, Through a poor widow, Jesus talked about the attitude of tithes and offerings. It says, “Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two copper coins. “ Two copper coins are about 200 yen worth in current money. Jesus called his disciples and said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.” The offerings are not about the amount of money. The value of the offerings is seen when we live a life of trusting everything to God. Even in our difficult times, God protects us. And He also provide for us, and this kind of faith and thanksgiving heart is our foundation of tithes and offerings. With that in mind, I would like to do my best to give thanks to God. I sincerely desire to live my life giving praise, prayer, and gratitude to God.
Today’s title is “David himself called Christ ‘my Lord’.” Let us also call Christ our Lord and welcome him into our hearts. A life of living with Christ is not the life of carrying our burdens ourselves. Rather, it is a life of being free from the burden and living with the help of the Holy Spirit. I believe that it is also a life being free from legalism, instead staying in the grace of Christ.