The New Testament's Favorite Psalm
Psalm 110 is the most often quoted Old Testament passage in the New Testament. It should be for good reason. Jesus uses the first line to baffle the Pharisees who were waiting for Messiah while staring Him int he face.
Psalm 110:1 (ESV) The LORD says to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.”
David here speaks of God (LORD in capitals) speaking to Jesus (Lord) about His divine rule at God's right hand side. And since David calls this Messiah Lord, how can He also be David's Son? Because He is both a man and God. He is both human nature and divine nature in one. No wonder the Apostles used this Psalm so much in their proclamation of the Gospel!
But I want to point out one interesting passage in verse 2:
Psalm 110:2 (ESV) The Lord sends forth from Zion your mighty scepter. Rule in the midst of your enemies!
"Rule in the midst of your enemies."
This Divine rule of Christ happens through His Church in the midst of her enemies. This is huge! Because it describes what kind of work we are to do for Christ. We are not to subdue Christ's enemies. We are to let the Lord rule our hearts in the midst of them!
Matthew 5:13 (ESV) “You are the salt of the earth..."
Christians are not called to "Christianize any society." We are called to live in and among them, working for peace and justice and leading lives that bring Christ glory. YES, we are called to EVANGELIZE our society by going out to the highways and byways and telling all who will to come! But it is never through legislation, pressure or human ingenuity that the Lord's rule expands. Not everyone will follow Christ. We must accept it and embrace living for Him among them.
Romans 12:18 (ESV) If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
Here is another important phrase:
Psalm 110:3 (ESV) 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.
This King (Jesus), does not rule forcefully over us making us do what He wants! His subject willingly offer themselves because He willingly offered Himself in service to God.
John 4:34 (ESV) “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.
It is true self-less love that we follow. Obedience for the Christian is willingness to do what Christ wants because He willingly did what God wanted for us. In the garden sweating drops of blood He said, "Not my will, but yours be done."
This is the only King worthy of our service! He is the one who models it, He is the one God appointed to it. He is and always will be the Lord over all.
Psalm 110:1 (ESV) The LORD says to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.”
David here speaks of God (LORD in capitals) speaking to Jesus (Lord) about His divine rule at God's right hand side. And since David calls this Messiah Lord, how can He also be David's Son? Because He is both a man and God. He is both human nature and divine nature in one. No wonder the Apostles used this Psalm so much in their proclamation of the Gospel!
But I want to point out one interesting passage in verse 2:
Psalm 110:2 (ESV) The Lord sends forth from Zion your mighty scepter. Rule in the midst of your enemies!
"Rule in the midst of your enemies."
This Divine rule of Christ happens through His Church in the midst of her enemies. This is huge! Because it describes what kind of work we are to do for Christ. We are not to subdue Christ's enemies. We are to let the Lord rule our hearts in the midst of them!
Matthew 5:13 (ESV) “You are the salt of the earth..."
Christians are not called to "Christianize any society." We are called to live in and among them, working for peace and justice and leading lives that bring Christ glory. YES, we are called to EVANGELIZE our society by going out to the highways and byways and telling all who will to come! But it is never through legislation, pressure or human ingenuity that the Lord's rule expands. Not everyone will follow Christ. We must accept it and embrace living for Him among them.
Romans 12:18 (ESV) If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
Here is another important phrase:
Psalm 110:3 (ESV) 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.
This King (Jesus), does not rule forcefully over us making us do what He wants! His subject willingly offer themselves because He willingly offered Himself in service to God.
John 4:34 (ESV) “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.
It is true self-less love that we follow. Obedience for the Christian is willingness to do what Christ wants because He willingly did what God wanted for us. In the garden sweating drops of blood He said, "Not my will, but yours be done."
This is the only King worthy of our service! He is the one who models it, He is the one God appointed to it. He is and always will be the Lord over all.
Comments
Post a Comment