Psalm 110: Sit at my Right Hand

Scripture:      Psalm 110, Luke 20:27-44
Focus:           The Lord says to my lord, “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies your footstool.” ~Psalm 110:1 (NRSV)

Commentary:  Psalm 110 comes from the time of the Israelite monarchy and is a ceremonial enthronement psalm, one read by the priest in the Temple when the King was crowned. It contains 7 verses which represent seven ceremonies in a multi-day royal coronation event.  More closely it begins, “The Oracle of Yahweh for my Lord [the Crown Prince].”  

Jesus rather obscurely quotes this verse at the end of a challenging conversation with the Sadducees, who do not believe in resurrection, to partially answer a question he himself poses: “Why do they say that the Christ is David’s son?” This question presupposes a messianic interpretation of Psalm 110.  Jesus subtly moves the conversation beyond an argument about King David’s ancestry.  With a keen eye, we can hear Jesus under-girding his own status as God’s Anointed One, the Messiah. 

Through the power of the resurrection, David’s descendant, Jesus the Messiah, does indeed come to sit as the right hand of God the Father Almighty in honor and glory as Lord, as well as Savior!

Reflection:  How would you talk with someone who doesn’t believe in the resurrection?  How does your life witness to the resurrection?  How do you follow Jesus as not just your Savior but also the Lord of your life?  

If music is a spiritual pathway for you, listen to Exalted (Yahweh) by Chris Tomlin (YouTube)

Breath Prayer for the Day:
Breathing in ... Jesus, Messiah
Breathing out ... I exalt you