Day 29 Monday
Read Psalm 110
Psalm 110 is one of the most quoted Psalms in the New Testament in reference to Jesus – it is directly quoted by Jesus himself in Matthew 22, Mark 12 and Luke 20, as well as by the early church in Acts 2, 1 Corinthians 15, and several times in the book of Hebrews. It is a Messianic Psalm, meaning it was always seen as referring to a future coming king.
Psalm 110 is used in a variety of ways by the writers of the New Testament to point to the uniqueness of Jesus and his ministry. Jesus himself uses the Psalm to allude to the fact that while the Messiah would come from the line of King David (which Jesus did) the Psalm clearly points to the fact that this Messiah will be an unusual king, with supernatural origins (vs. 1). The author of Hebrews picks up on the strange reference to the Priest Melchizedek (vs.4) and describes Jesus as the great high Priest, the only priest we need as mediator between us and God. But, the vast majority of New Testament references to Psalm 110 pick up on the reference to the Lord sitting at the right hand of God. In the monarchies of Biblical times the right hand of the king was the seat of power. It was the position that had both the ear of the king and the authority of the king.
The Apostle Paul reflects on Jesus’ position “at the right hand of God” as one of our greatest sources of hope. In Romans 8, Paul makes mention that not only has Christ died and been raised from the dead for us but that He is right now at God’s right hand interceding on our behalf. I am not sure exactly how to imagine this logistically, but is it not good news to hear that Jesus is at God’s right hand speaking in our favor. In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul links Jesus sitting at God’s right hand “until [God] makes his enemies a footstool” (Psalm 110:1) with Jesus’ resurrection. Paul quotes Psalm 110 and then remarks how in and through Jesus’ resurrection the final enemy (death itself) has been defeated. What could be better news than that, and what could be a greater source of hope?
Prayer
Spend some time reflecting on the idea that Jesus is interceding for you. How many ways does Jesus stand in the gap between us and God? Thank Him for it.