Later, as Jesus was teaching the people in the Temple, he asked, “Why do the teachers of religious law claim that the Messiah is the son of David? For David himself, speaking under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, said,
‘The Lord said to my Lord,Sit in the place of honor at my right hand until I humble your enemies beneath your feet.’
Since David himself called the Messiah ‘my Lord,’ how can the Messiah be his son?” The large crowd listened to him with great delight.
Jesus also taught: “Beware of these teachers of religious law! For they like to parade around in flowing robes and receive respectful greetings as they walk in the marketplaces. And how they love the seats of honor in the synagogues and the head table at banquets. Yet they shamelessly cheat widows out of their property and then pretend to be pious by making long prayers in public. Because of this, they will be more severely punished.”
Search my heart, God
There are days I wish God would release me from this business of pastoring. Reading these verses turns this into one of those days. Why? I’m one of those guys Jesus talked about. And again he is pretty critical of spiritual leaders like me, and to the crowd’s obvious delight.
I am committed to complete integrity. I aim for a pure heart daily. But I also know how confused motives can be; how unhealthy, impure motives can sneak back into my soul. Why do I dress the way I do? To impress? To avoid criticism? To fulfill my calling? When people call me “pastor” why do I accept it, this greeting of honor? How much ego and self gets mixed into my acceptance?
When I’m offered food first, the platform seat, the picture in church publications, or some other recognition or place of honor, do such legitimate acts of respect feed a sense of entitlement, power, or self-importance?
I don’t cheat the poor out of property, but I encourage everyone to tithe. And I struggle to keep my prayers short and to the point, and without all kinds of flowery language. But, there I am, the guy up front leading a congregation to God. A hugely important role, but also one fraught with ego danger!
If I could just not be a pastor, no one would ever mistake competence or confidence with pride and self service. More important, I would not regularly have to check my heart to ensure humility and purity.
But running away from pastoring is, for me, running away from God. So I have to listen to Jesus’ hard words as if they were to me, and use them to once again open my heart to painful examination.
Search my heart, O God. See if there is any wicked or wayward way deep within this pastor. Show it to me so I can turn away from it. Cleanse me, again. Create in me a pure heart. - Mike Leamon
Son of
DavidWhen I was young I can remember introducing myself to people like I was someone important. Most people just looked at me with empty stares or puzzled look, as if to say, “And I should know you?” (I confess I still think I am someone important now and then but God quickly shows me the door to humility.) Anyway, back to my story. Upon receiving “the look” I would say, “I’m Phil Jones’ son.” Immediately the look would change into one of recognition and acceptance as if I had magically appeared on their list of approved contacts.
As I have grown up, this happens less, but still does in farm circles where my dad is well known and I am no longer actively involved. Children of celebrities must face this every time they introduce themselves. So much so that many try to distance themselves from the celebrity status of their parents by changing their name.
Jesus wondered what all the fuss was about being the Son of David. Sure God had promised that the Messiah would be from David’s family, but there were thousands of possibilities. What would really be special would be a Messiah who was the Lord of David. A celebrity’s celebrity. Someone who even the best King Israel had ever known would consider special. That person would be a real Messiah.
This is just who Jesus is. He not only fills the common role as a descendent of David, Jesus is the LORD David refers to as King and LORD. Jesus is both. He not only fills our shallow expectations, he fills the expectations of the best of the best. That is the type of King I want to serve.
King of kings and Lord of lords I acknowledge your uniqueness and superiority over every other thing. I want you to be my King today and forever more. - Dan Jones
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