October 1
“The Lord said to my Lord, ‘Sit in the place of honor at My right hand until I humble your enemies, making them a footstool under Your feet.’” Psalm 110:1
Throughout the Old Testament, we get glimpses of someone who would eventually appear on the scene, deliver troubled Israel from their enemies, and make all things right: the Messiah (Hebrew), the Christ (Greek) are defined as the Chosen One, the Anointed One.
One of those glimpses is right here in Psalm 110, written by the great King David. Apparently, David received a vision or overheard a discussion between God the Father and God the Son. You’ll notice that the word ‘Lord’ is mentioned twice. The first LORD is Yahweh (I AM); the second is Adonai (sovereign, master). In the discussion, the Father is saying to His Son, “Sit here at My right hand. I’m going to defeat all your enemies.” The right hand was always a seat of honor and of authority. Being someone’s footstool was a position of humility and subjection.
1000 years later, Jesus is coming to the end of His earthly ministry. He had been wrangling with the Pharisees all day about the authority of His teaching as they peppered Him with their questions. After He had silenced them with His answers, He turned the tables and asked them a question (Matthew 22:41-46):
Then, surrounded by the Pharisees, Jesus asked them a question: “What do you think about the Messiah? Whose son is he?” They replied, “He is the son of David.” Jesus responded, “Then why does David, speaking under the inspiration of the Spirit, call the Messiah ‘my Lord’? For David 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 called the Messiah ‘my Lord,’ how can the Messiah be his son?” No one could answer him. And after that, no one dared to ask him any more questions.
Jesus’ question and answer revealed that the Messiah would not just be a physical descendent of David, but an eternal king who would reign and rule forever. The Pharisees were baffled and left to plot this king’s assassination.
When Jesus ascended to heaven, He was seated at the right hand of the Father. He is waiting until the Father determines it is time to return, defeat His enemies, and make all things right.
Jesus, I honor You as the Chosen One, the Anointed One. You were sent by the Father, rejected by Your people, offered up as the once and for all sacrifice, ascended into heaven, and will return one day for Your own. Come quickly, Lord Jesus! Amen