Peter Misselbrook's Blog

Sep 1 2019 - Psalm 110 – Sit at my right hand

This wonderful psalm of David is one of the most quoted psalms in the New Testament. David had been chosen and anointed by God to be king over God's people. He had been raised up from the lowly position of caring for his father's sheep on the hillsides of Judea to be enthroned in a royal palace in Jerusalem. God had given him notable victories over his enemies, starting with his single-handed felling of Goliath, the Philistine giant from Gath. But in this psalm, David looks beyond his own kingship to set his sights on a greater king and a greater and more final victory.

When Jesus was teaching in the temple courts, the Pharisees, Sadducees and Scribes bombarded him with questions, seeking to trip him up and discredit him in the eyes of the people. By his wise answers Jesus took the wind out of their sails before turning the tables on them with a question of his own. He asked:

Why do the teachers of the law say that the Messiah is the son of David? David himself, speaking by 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”. How then can he be his son? (Mark 12:35-37)

Jesus' question posed a riddle that the Jewish leaders could not (or would not), unravel. Jesus was making it clear that David, speaking under the inspiration of the Spirit of God, was pointing beyond his own kingship to that of a far greater king to come. He was speaking of the coming Messiah as one whom David himself would acknowledge as Lord. This great king, David's greater Son, would sit at the right hand of God – the right hand of Yahweh – until all his enemies submit to him. He would defeat not only the Philistines; he would crush all of the powers of darkness.

On the Day of Pentecost, the Apostle Peter quotes from this psalm. He argues that king David died and was buried and his tomb is there in Jerusalem for anyone to visit. But:

God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it. Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said,

"The Lord said to my Lord:
    ‘Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.’"

Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah. (Acts 2:32-36)

This psalm is a Messianic psalm in which David speaks prophetically of the Lord Jesus. He is the one whose kingdom will be extended from Jerusalem to Judea, to Samaria and into all the world. Every knee will at last bow to him and acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. This is the purpose for which he has poured out his Spirit on the world.

We might add that the writer of the letter to the Hebrews makes much of the unceasing priestly ministry of the Lord Jesus, "in the order of Melchizedek", quoting this psalm (see Hebrews 5-7).

Father God, we thank you for our exalted Saviour whom we gladly own as Lord. We thank you that having offered himself as a full and perfect sacrifice for our sins, he is now exalted to your right hand in the heavens where he never ceases to intercede for us. Thank you risen Saviour that you have given us your Spirit that we might continue the work of making you known. Fill us with your Spirit so that we, like Peter, may faithfully bear witness to your risen power and be used to draw many others to own you as Lord. 

Sep 1 2020 - Matthew 9:1-17 – Your sins are forgiven

Again we have an account of Jesus performing an act of healing, but this time with an added twist. A paralysed man is brought to Jesus, carried on a mat by some of his friends. Jesus' words to the man seem a little strange, "Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven" (Matthew 9:2). Certainly they catch the attention of some of the teachers of the law who had gathered among the crowd to see what Jesus was doing and listen to his teaching. To them these words seemed blasphemous; no one can forgive sins but God alone. Jesus, knowing their thoughts says, "Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’?" (9:5). Then to show them that he has power to forgive sins, he commands the paralysed man "Get up, take your mat and go home." And he did so.

What is going on in this strange story? Why does Jesus first declare that the man's sins are forgiven rather than simply healing him? Is he suggesting that the man's paralysis is the result of his sin? Why does he link the two?

Jesus made it quite clear on another occasion that there is no necessary link between an individual's sin and their sickness or disability (see John 9:1-3). Sickness and death come to all alike. Nevertheless, there is a link between the two. It is because of sin that sickness and death have entered the world. We live in a world in rebellion against God and a world that, in consequence, is in process of dissolution. Jesus came into the world not only to heal the sick; he came to deal with the problem of the world at its root; he came to deal with sin once and for all. It is for this reason that Jesus links sin and sickness when confronted by the paralysed man. He wants the crowds to understand that he is more than a wonder-worker; he has come to heal the deep hurt of the world; he has come to forgive sin and transform the sinner.

To the teachers of the law, Jesus' words appeared blasphemy. Jesus' response is, in effect, to say, "Do you think this is mere empty talk?" It's an easy thing to say that someone's sins are forgiven. Nothing changes visibly. It could be mere words. Jesus then heals the man with a word to demonstrate that his words have power. He can heal the hurt of the world.

As we read the Gospel accounts we are continually confronted with the person of Jesus and the ultimate question, "Who is this?" Who is this that can still the storm with a word, heal the sick and forgive sin? He is the Saviour of the world who alone can heal its hurt – my hurt.

Surely he took up our pain
   and bore our suffering,
yet we considered him punished by God,
   stricken by him, and afflicted.
But he was pierced for our transgressions,
   he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
   and by his wounds we are healed.
We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
   each of us has turned to our own way;
and the LORD has laid on him
   the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:4-6)

This incident is immediately followed by the call of Matthew the tax collector – the sinner. Jesus forgives sin and embraces and transforms the broken and the outcast. No wonder his disciples celebrated when he was with them.

Lord Jesus, you know me through and through. You know how I have fallen short of all that you created me to be and have often deliberately chosen the path of rebellion. Lord, your word gives me comfort and hope for I know that through your sacrificial death you have paid the price for my sin and I hear your wonderful words, “Take heart, my son, your sins are forgiven.” Like Matthew, I rise up to follow you. Help me to celebrate in your presence today by keeping close to you and walking in the path of your commandments.

Peter Misselbrook