THE DIVINITY OF THE MESSIAH
Jesus asked the Jewish leaders this question not to suggest that the Messiah wouldn’t be the son of David, but rather to show them that he would be the Son of God. It was a well known doctrine among the Jews that the Messiah would be born into the lineage of David. But they emphasized his human side and missed the divine. Jesus sought to correct their misunderstanding with a question, “Why did David call the Messiah, Lord?” Jesus was teaching them that the Messiah would be both a Son of David and Son of God. He would be born into David’s lineage, but would be greater than David. Thus, David himself would bow to the Messiah as Lord.
Humanly speaking, Jesus was born into the line of David. Both Mary and Joseph were from the line of David and therefore had to return to the Town of David, Bethlehem, for the Roman census. Mary’s line established His human lineage and Joseph’s, His legal right. Yet, as the Son of God, there never was a time that Christ was not. He is God. He is not only greater than David, He is greater than all.
When the Jewish leaders questioned Him saying, “Are you greater than our father, Abraham?” (John 8:53). Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” (John 8:58).