Why David called Him Lord
In Matthew 22:41-46, Jesus asked the Pharisees why David, inspired by the Spirit, called the Messiah "Lord" in Psalm 110:1 ("The LORD said to my Lord..."),
if the Messiah was supposed to be his son. This question highlights that the Messiah is not merely a human descendant of David but is divine, holding a superior, heavenly position.
- Context: The Pharisees believed the Messiah would simply be a human descendant ("son") of David.
- The Scriptural Challenge: Jesus quotes Psalm 110:1, where David refers to the Messiah as "my Lord" (Adoni).
- The Implication: If David calls his own descendant "Lord," it indicates the Messiah is divine—both David's son (humanly) and David's Lord (divinely).
- Result: The Pharisees were unable to answer, ending their attempts to publicly trap Jesus in debate.
This interaction highlights the nature of Jesus as both God and human, fulfilling the role of a King superior to David.