Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day.

Thank you for joining me today and following us throughout Project 23. If you would like to learn more about this project, click the link to discover more and partner with us.

Our text today is Mark 12:35-37:

And as Jesus taught in the temple, he said, “How can the scribes say that the Christ is the son of David? David himself, in the Holy Spirit, declared,

“‘The Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit at my right hand,
until I put your enemies under your feet.”’

David himself calls him Lord. So how is he his son?” And the great throng heard him gladly. — Mark 12:35-37

After fielding a string of trick questions from religious leaders, Jesus turns the tables and asks a question of his own. At first glance, it sounds simple: “How can the Christ be David’s son, if David calls him Lord?”

But it’s a loaded question. Because in Jewish tradition, a father always held greater honor than a son. And yet, David, the greatest king in Israel’s history, refers to his own descendant as “Lord.” Jesus is forcing the spiritual elite to stop thinking in terms of physical hierarchy and start thinking in terms of divine authority.

He’s quoting Psalm 110, where David, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, prophesies about a coming Messiah who would sit at God’s right hand, a place of divine power. In short, Jesus is saying: “David wasn’t just writing about his family tree. He was writing about me.”

And if that’s true, and it is, then the Messiah is not merely a political figure or a human descendant. He is the Lord, David’s Lord, and our Lord.

It’s easy to develop a small view of Jesus. To admire him as a wise teacher. To respect him as a prophet. To even call him Savior, without surrendering to him as Lord. But Jesus is both the Son of David and the Lord of David. Both fully human and fully divine. The fulfillment of prophecy—and the author of it. Which is mind-blowing when you really think about it.

Here’s the point: Jesus won’t always be the one answering questions. Sometimes he asks them of us. Not to check your theology, but to reveal your heart.

So let’s make it more personal: Who is Jesus to you? A historical figure—or your living King? A religious concept—or your ultimate authority? Because how you answer that question changes everything. How you think, feel, and act.

#JesusIsLord, #Mark12, #SonAndSovereign

ASK THIS:

1. Why is David calling his descendant “Lord” such a big deal?
2. What does this reveal about Jesus’ divine authority?
3. Where have you admired Jesus but failed to submit to him?
4. What question is Jesus asking you today?

DO THIS:

Read Psalm 110. Let the weight of Jesus’ identity as both Son and Sovereign shift how you speak to him and live for him today.

PRAY THIS:

Jesus, you are more than I realize. Help me see you clearly and surrender fully. Expand my thoughts, my desires, and my decisions to reflect who you truly are. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

“King of Kings”