Who is Jesus?

Depending on whom you ask, you’ll get a lot of different answers. Some people describe Him as a great teacher. Others see Him as an example of love and compassion. Christians certainly believe those things about Jesus. But He is much more than that.

Psalm 110 helps us understand who He really is.

David begins by describing a conversation between the Lord and someone David calls “my Lord.” God invites this person to sit at His right hand, the position of authority and honor.

That raises an interesting question. David was the king of Israel. Who could be David’s Lord?

Jesus Himself asked the religious leaders that question in Matthew 22. They knew the promised Messiah would come from David’s family, but Jesus showed them that the Messiah would also be greater than David.

Psalm 110 was pointing forward to Jesus.

After Jesus rose from the dead and ascended into heaven, He sat down at the right hand of the Father. We confess that every week in the Apostles’ Creed.

But what does that mean?

It doesn’t mean Jesus is sitting somewhere far away from us, waiting until it’s time to return. The right hand of God describes His authority. The Jesus who was born in Bethlehem and crucified outside Jerusalem now reigns over all things.

That can be difficult to believe sometimes.

We look around and see wars, suffering, disease, persecution, and death. We look at our own lives and find plenty of things that don’t seem to be under anyone’s control.

Yet Jesus reigns.

His authority was hidden at the cross, too. To anyone watching, Jesus looked powerless. His enemies mocked Him as a failed king while He hung beneath a sign identifying Him as the King of the Jews.

Then came Easter.

The resurrection showed that the apparent defeat of the cross was actually Christ’s victory over sin and death. His reign is real even when we cannot see it.

Psalm 110 also calls this King a priest forever. Jesus doesn’t simply rule over us. He is the great High Priest who offered Himself as the sacrifice for our sins and continues to intercede for us before the Father.

The One who has all authority is the same One who gave His life to save you.

That makes His reign very good news.

I saw a really cool clip from a little league baseball game the other day. The pitcher was struggling and the coach had called a conference at the mound. The coach look the pitcher right in the eyes and said, “If you strike out this batter, Jesus will still be Lord, right?” The kid said, “Yes.” The coach went on, “If you walk this batter, Jesus will still be Lord, right?” The kid said, “Yes.” The coach finished by saying, “So, don’t worry about it. No matter what, Jesus is Lord and that’s all that matters.” What an amazing coach!

Whatever happens today, Jesus is still Lord. Whatever happens tomorrow, He will still be Lord.

And there is no safer place to be than under the gracious reign of our crucified, risen, and ascended King.

Let’s pray…

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for giving us Jesus, our Savior, King, and great High Priest. When the world seems out of control, strengthen my faith to trust that Christ still reigns. Help me to live confidently under His gracious rule as I wait for the day when His victory will be seen by all.

Amen.

As part of your devotion time, I encourage you to also pray for at least some of the following:

• Your family
• Your local church
• Your pastor
• Some of your fellow church members
• The people on your B.L.E.S.S. list
• Your country and her leaders
• Your community

After praying for these people, you may want to finish your devotion time with the Lord’s Prayer…

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. They will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever and every. Amen.