READ Psalm 110. 1 The LORD says to my lord: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.” 2 The LORD will extend your mighty scepter from Zion, saying, “Rule in the midst of your enemies!” 3 Your troops will be willing on your day of battle. Arrayed in holy splendor, your young men will come to you like dew from the morning’s womb. 4 The LORD has sworn and will not change his mind: “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.” 5 The Lord is at your right hand; he will crush kings on the day of his wrath. 6 He will judge the nations, heaping up the dead and crushing the rulers of the whole earth. 7 He will drink from a brook along the way, and so he will lift his head high.
THE PRIEST-KING. David hears a word from God to his “lord” (verse 1). But since he was Israel’s king, who could be his superior? Jesus says the verse refers to him (Mark 12:35–37). But this powerful king is also a sympathetic priest (verse 4; cf. Genesis 14:18–20; Hebrews 6:19–7:28) who represents the people to God. So Jesus is both human and divine, both a lion and a lamb (Revelation 5:5–6). While earthly kings conquer by filling the world with bodies (verse 6), Jesus conquers by converting and filling the earth with his body (Ephesians 1:22–23). So there is a battle to be fought, but with the weapons of love, service, and truth (2 Corinthians 10:4–5; Romans 12:9–21). Will you enlist (verse 3)?
Prayer: Lord, “for not with swords loud clashing, nor roll of stirring drums; with deeds of love and mercy the heavenly kingdom comes.”117 With your Spirit overcome my lack of generosity and my obsession with my own needs and security, so that I can truly be part of your work in the world. Amen.