Scripture: Luke 20:41-47

41 But he said to them, "How can they say that the Christ is David's son? 42 For David himself says in the Book of Psalms, `The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand, 43 till I make thy enemies a stool for thy feet.' 44 David thus calls him Lord; so how is he his son?" 45 And in the hearing of all the people he said to his disciples, 46 "Beware of the scribes, who like to go about in long robes, and love salutations in the market places and the best seats in the synagogues  and the places of honor at feasts, 47 who devour widows' houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation."

Meditation:   It is the work of the Holy Spirit to make Christ known to us.  That is why Jesus stated that King David could proclaim that his future heir would be both Messiah (the Hebrew word for Christ or the Anointed One) and his Lord.  Among the Jews the most common title for the Messiah was the Son of David.  The Jews looked forward to the long-expected Savior who would come from the line of David.  Jesus  was often addressed with that title, especially by the crowds (Mark 10:47ff, Matthew 9:27; 12:23).  Jesus not only asserts that the Messiah is David's son, and that he is, indeed, David's son, but, that he is not only David's son, but also his Lord.  Paul the Apostle states that no one can say ‘Jesus is Lord' except by the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 12:3). What does it mean to acknowledge that Jesus is Lord?  The word Lord means "ruler" or "king" -- the one who is owed "fealty" and "submission".  The Lord or Master of our lives is the person or thing we give our lives over to or submit to in a full way.  We can be ruled by many things -- our unruly passions, the love of money, alcohol, drugs, etc. Only one Lord can truly set us free to love and to be loved as God intended from the beginning.  When we acknowledge that Jesus is Lord we invite him to be  the King of our heart and the ruler of our thoughts, relationships, and all that we do. Is the Lord Jesus the true King of your heart and do you give him free reign in every area of your life?

What is true religion?  Jesus warns his disciples against the wrong kind of religion. In his denunciation of the scribes (the religious experts of his day) , he warns against three things:  the desire for prominence rather than selfless service; the desire for deference and recognition (and seeking esteem from others) rather than seeking to promote the good of others through humble service and love; and thirdly, attempting to use one’s position (even a religious position) for self-gain and self-advancement. True religion is relating rightly to God and to one’s neighbor with love, honor, and reverence.  The Lord puts his Spirit within us that we may be filled with the joy of his presence, the joy of true worship, and the joy of selfless giving and love for others. True reverence for God frees the heart to give liberally, both to God and to neighbor.

"Lord Jesus, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of David and the Son of God. You are my Lord and I willingly submit myself to your rule in my life. Be Lord and King of my life, my thoughts, heart, home, relationships, work and all that I do."