A Serving Leadership Insight from the Life of Jesus Christ (Mark 12:35-37)

“While Jesus was teaching in the temple courts, he asked, ‘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 large crowd listened to him with delight.” (Mark 12:35-37)

In Mark 12:35–37, Jesus posed his own question after quoting from David the Psalmist: “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?” Jesus masterfully pointed out the superior position the Messiah held to their honored ancestor, King David. Though Messiah was a descendant of David and hence his son, the psalmist had clearly called him Lord. Just prior to this, Jesus had quoted the Jewish confession of faith known as the Shema: “The Lord our God, the Lord is one.” Not only was Jesus demonstrating the Messiah’s superiority but also he was pointing to his divinity. This was the real problem the religious leaders had with him. Jesus was more than human. He was the Son of God, and his kingdom was superior in every way to that of their exalted King David. Jesus knew who he was and whose he was, living and serving out of that reality.

KEY QUESTIONS: Do I clearly know who I am and whose I am? Do I live out of that reality or tend to view my significance and self-worth less than how God does? How will knowing my position in Christ affect how I lead, how I perceive others, and how I see the world?