The Lord of David
Mark 12:35-37

12:35 Then Jesus answered and said, while He taught in the temple, "How is it that the scribes say that the Christ is the Son of David? 12:36 "For David himself said by the Holy Spirit:'The Lord said to my Lord, "Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool." ' 12:37 "Therefore David himself calls Him 'Lord'; how is He then his Son?" And the common people heard Him gladly. (Mark 12:35-37)

A Flag Story

Today is Sunday and the "Fourth of July." This combination occurs only once every 6 years. In 1993, July 4th fell on a Sunday. It wouldn't happen again until 2004. I was so glad to celebrate this day with the presentation of the colors.

When I first came to the United States, I was greatly impressed by seeing the flag flying every where. In Japan, I hesitated to fly the "hinomaru," the Japanese national flag, because the Japanese military had invaded China, Korea, and other Asian countries. The "hinomaru" was a symbol of bloody war to me. Even 55 years after the war, many Japanese people cannot fly the flag with pride.

But American people are really proud of their flag. Even though there are many ethnic groups in the United States, they can unite together under one flag. I admire such a nation. We have learned through the cicil war in Yugoslavia that it is very hard for different races to live together. But in the United States it happens. I believe this is the only nation where different people live together in peace. The American flag is a symbol of unity for me.

When I was thinking about the flag, one story came to mind. It is a story over 130 years old. A young man came to the United States from England and became a naturalized citizen. He then went to Cuba, and lived there some time. When civil war broke out in Cuba in 1867, he was arrested as a spy, taken before the Spanish military court, and ordered to be shot.

He sent for two consuls, American and British, and presented his case. He said that he was neither a spy nor a politician. They went to the Spanish officers and said, "This man is innocent. He had nothing to do with the war and is not guilty of what he is accused."

They were told, "He was found guilty by our government and he must die." There was no time for an appeal. A detail of soldiers were lined up, the man was brought before them, and a black cap was placed over his head.

But just before the troops received the command to fire, the American and British consuls rushed up and wrapped the Stars and Stripes and the Union Jack around him. Then they said, "Fire on these flags if you dare."

The Spanish militia did not dare to fire, because behind those flags were two powerful nations.

Do you think of the flag of heaven on hearing this story? God says, "My banner over you is love." (Song of Songs 2:4) We are under the banner of heaven. We are saved and protected by the love of God. We are not afraid whatever happens because our Lord is always behind this banner and he is all powerful.

I'm so sorry that many people do not understand Jesus Christ correctly and still live in uncertainty and fear. If you know who Jesus is, it will give you true peace and power.

Son of David

Who is Jesus? Jesus is Christ. Then, who is Christ? The scribes and Pharisees, the religious leaders of the Jews, thought that Christ was "the Son of David." It's not a wrong statement. Christ was born as a descendant of David. Matthew called him "the Son of David." (Mat. 1:1) God promised that He would raise a King like David for Israel, and He fulfilled His promise by sending Christ as a baby of Mary, Mary being one of the descendants of David.

However, when the scribes called Christ "the Son of David." They were thinking of Christ as a military leader like King David. They expected Christ to deliver Israel from the oppression of Rome. When they called Christ "the Son of David," they believed Christ to be a military leader like a judge in the Old Testament. But, He is actually far more than a military leader. He is the Lord.

When we become ill, we ask for Christ's healing power, and He heals us from our sickness. We may think of him as a great physician. It is true that he is a great physician, but if Christ does not heal our sickness, some persons may get angry at Christ and cease trusting in Him. We need to remember that he is more than a physician. He is the Lord. He has a right to heal us or not to heal us for our greater spiritual benefits according His plan. Don't forget that He is the Lord.

When we are in need, we ask Christ for money, and He provides us what we need from his richness. We may think of him as a rich relative or an easy source of money. If we fail to become rich, some of us may get angry toward Him. But we should not forget that He is the Lord. He is sovereign and supreme ruler of universe. We should remember that He is the Lord.

Lord of David

Jesus clarified that Christ is the Lord by quoting a verse from Psalm 110:1. "For David himself said by the Holy Spirit: 'The Lord said to my Lord, "Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool." In this verse we can see three persons. God, the Lord, and David. David talked about someone who was greater than him. It was Christ, the Son of God. He is equal to God, but a separated person from God. He is the only person who can sit at God's right hand. Jesus presented Christ, Himself, as the Son of God and more than just a leader of Israel. "Therefore David himself calls Him 'Lord'; how is He then his Son?"

His discussion was very clear. Even the common people were able to understand. But the scribes, the Bible study specialists, overlooked the truth. Why? They did not understand the true meaning of the Scriptures. They simply listened to the interpretations and teachings of the Rabbi.

But, Jesus always taught Biblical truths. He taught us to listen to the voice of God as written in His Word. Jesus stated, "David said by the Holy Spirit." He recognized the Holy Spirit behind the Word. But the scribes only taught the Bible as a series of letters. The Holy Spirit used David's mouth prophesy about Christ through this psalm. This verse indicates one of the prophets of Christ.Yyou will also find another prophecy of Christ in verse 4 of this pslam. "The Lord has sworn and will not relent, 'You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.'" We have to listen to the Word given by the Holy Spirit, and obey it's truths in our daily living.

Now we know that Jesus is Christ, and the Lord. When we attend a worship service, we do so to glorify His lordship, and when we go home we go to live under his lordship.

Are you thinking that you are citizens of heaven as well as of this country? Do you see the banner of heaven flying over you as well as the Stars and Stripes? Live as good citizens of this country, and live as holy people of God's kingdom.

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you that you remind us that we are the citizens of heaven and under your banner today. Help us to keep our eyes open unto You. Help us to see that You and Christ are always there behind the banner. Make us humble under Christ's lordship. Give us another week to live the life that makes you the Lord in all areas of our daily life. We pray these things in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord.