Mark 12:35-37

Meditatio (Reflecting)

How do the scribes claim that the Christ is the son of David?

Oratio (Responding)

Up until this moment the scribes have been asking jesus questions trying to trap him, and trying to get him to stumble and get his followers to leave him. But in this reading Jesus, instead, asks them a question about their teachings of the christ. The scribes believed that the christ would be a great king that would do three things. Restore the kingdom, united the tribes of Israel, and put all the enemies of God under their feet. They also believed that the christ would come from the line of david, being a son of david. But in this simple statement Jesus does two things, first he corrects and clarifies the teaching of who the christ would be, with the words from David’s own mouth, and second he puts a new thought into their minds… a new teaching. Jesus quotes scripture saying “The Lord said to my lord, ‘Sit at my right hand until I place your enemies under your feet.'” this is david clearly calling the christ “Lord” not “Son.” So the new teaching is that, even though the christ will indeed come form the the line of david and a son of david, but more importantly, the christ will also be God. The previous conversations with the pharisees and scribes have all gone according to a certain structure…, First they have clearly make the case for Jesus’ as christ, and messiah…, the one that was foretold and prophesied about. But this all also make the make the case for jesus’ divinity and Sonship with the father. Over and over he makes these points, and the scribes and the pharisees are getting more and more angry about it. In this one simple question here, He simply corrects their long misunderstood teaching, but also make the case for his divinity with their own teaching, once it is properly understood. Incredible! Jesus is truly the master teacher, and rabbi, it must have been something to behold when he sparred intellectually with these leaders of the temple, and keepers of the law.

Contemplatio (Contemplating)

Take time to simply remain in the presence of God.

Resolutio (Resolving)

Oh lord, help me today to hear your word, to listen to your teachings, but most importantly, to understand them in a way that loves and glorifies you.