Why the Messiah Must be Divine
📖 Why the Messiah Must Be Divine
Exploring Psalm 110 and the Identity of Jesus
✨ Introduction
Who is the Messiah? Jewish tradition speaks of a human king from David’s line. Christianity agrees — but goes further: the Messiah is divine. One of the most striking proofs comes from a single verse in the Hebrew Bible — Psalm 110:1. Quoted frequently in the New Testament, this verse helps us understand why Jesus is not merely David’s son — but David’s Lord.
📜 Psalm 110:1 – The Messianic Puzzle
“The LORD says to my Lord: ‘Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.’”
— Psalm 110:1 (ESV)
Key Terms:
- “The LORD” (YHWH): The God of Israel.
- “My Lord” (Adoni): A royal or divine superior — not David himself.
- “Sit at My right hand”: A place of highest authority and favor — reserved for none but God.
🎯 Big idea: David hears God speak to someone greater than himself, inviting him to share in divine rule.
🤔 Jesus’ Interpretation (Matthew 22:41–46)
Jesus turns this verse into a theological challenge:
“If David calls him ‘Lord,’ how is he his son?”
— Matthew 22:45
- The Messiah is descended from David, but also superior to David.
- David never called his son “my Lord” — so who could this be?
- Jesus’ answer: The Messiah is both David’s Son and God’s Son.
🧠 This was not a riddle — it was Jesus revealing that the Messiah must be divine.
👑 The Right Hand of God
Throughout the Bible, the right hand symbolizes:
| Symbolism | Examples |
|---|---|
| Power | Exodus 15:6 |
| Honor | 1 Kings 2:19 |
| Divine Salvation | Psalm 98:1 |
| Authority to Rule | Hebrews 1:3 |
In Acts 2:33, Peter proclaims that Jesus has been exalted to God’s right hand, fulfilling Psalm 110.
📖 Old Testament Evidence for the Messiah’s Divinity
🔹 Isaiah 9:6–7
“For to us a child is born… and he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
- The child born is explicitly called Mighty God (El Gibbor), which is never used of a mere man.
🔹 Micah 5:2
“From you [Bethlehem] shall come… one whose origin is from of old, from ancient days.”
- The Messiah’s origin is eternal — not just human.
🔹 Daniel 7:13–14
“One like a son of man… came with the clouds of heaven… and to him was given dominion…”
- The “cloud rider” motif is used for Yahweh in the Old Testament (Nahum 1:3).
- This “Son of Man” figure receives worship and eternal rule.
🔹 Psalm 2:11–12
“Kiss the Son… Blessed are all who take refuge in him.”
- Taking refuge in the Son — a role normally reserved for God — implies divine protection and trust.
🔹 Isaiah 7:14
“Behold, the virgin shall conceive… and shall call his name Immanuel.”
- Immanuel means “God with us” — again pointing to God entering into human history.
🔹 Ezekiel 34:15–23
God says: “I myself will shepherd my people…” and later, “I will set up over them one shepherd, my servant David.”
- God claims He Himself will come as the Shepherd — yet also speaks of appointing “David” as the Shepherd, suggesting a divine-human unity.
🔁 Old Testament Echoes of Divine Messiah (Summary Table)
| Prophecy | Divine Role |
|---|---|
| Isaiah 9:6 | “Mighty God, Everlasting Father” |
| Micah 5:2 | “From ancient days” – pre-existent origin |
| Daniel 7:13–14 | “Son of Man” receives eternal worship |
| Isaiah 7:14 | “Immanuel” – God with us |
| Psalm 2:12 | “Take refuge in the Son” – divine trust |
| Ezekiel 34 | God will shepherd, yet calls him David |
📖 New Testament Fulfillment
Psalm 110:1 is the most-quoted Old Testament verse in the New Testament — appearing over 20 times, including:
- Hebrews 1:3 – He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.
- Acts 2:34–36 – Let all Israel know… God has made him both Lord and Christ.
- 1 Corinthians 15:25 – He must reign until He has put all enemies under His feet.
🧠 These verses point to Jesus as the divine, reigning Messiah who conquers sin and death.
🧭 Conclusion: David’s Son is David’s Lord
Psalm 110:1 shows us that: - The Messiah is not merely a man; - He is greater than David; - He shares God’s authority and throne; - He fulfills the hope of divine kingship that rescues and rules forever.
Only God can sit at God’s right hand.
The Messiah does.
Therefore, the Messiah is divine.
📊 Suggested Visual (Table)
Title: “The Identity of the Messiah — According to Psalm 110”
| Role | Human Messiah | Divine Messiah |
|---|---|---|
| Son of David | ✅ | ✅ |
| Called “Lord” by David | ❌ | ✅ |
| Sits at God’s right hand | ❌ | ✅ |
| Defeats all enemies | ✅ | ✅ |
| Reigns forever | ❌ (not fully) | ✅ |