Matthew 22:41-46
‘Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them a question: “What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is He?” They said to Him, “The son of David.” He said to them, “Then how does David in the Spirit call Him ‘Lord,’ saying, ‘THE LORD SAID TO MY LORD, “SIT AT MY RIGHT HAND, UNTIL I PUT YOUR ENEMIES UNDER YOUR FEET”’? Therefore, if David calls Him ‘Lord,’ how is He his son?” No one was able to offer Him a word in answer, nor did anyone dare from that day on to ask Him anymore questions.’
This question puts a cap on Jesus’ life and earthly ministry. He is calling Himself God once again. In one sense I feel sorry for the pharisees. They are so lost and ignorant. This is one more area that they had never considered. Jesus checked the last box. He is God.
They jews were solidly monotheistic and rightly so. However, we know that the doctrine of the trinity exists. There certainly are three personalities that are called God. Here is a passage that has Jesus going to John and being baptized. John originally resists. We can see that the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are three separate individuals. ‘Then he allowed Him. After He was baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and settling on Him, and behold, a voice from the heavens said, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased”, (Matthew 3:15b-17).
We know the Father is God. Today’s passage is one of many in which Jesus’s deity is claimed. Acts 5:3,4 has Peter calling the Holy Spirit God, ‘But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back some of the proceeds of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not under your control? Why is it that you have conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men, but to God.”’
With the death of the apostles the bible era ends. They are finishing God’s revelation of Himself. This has been something progressive. The Old Testament has the truth that there is one God. Holiness and justice are big themes. David in his psalms makes it clear that a relationship with God can be had. A relationship with a caring, loving God. Daniel speaks of the end of the ages. Many of them reference the Messiah.
The trinity is made clear in the New Testament. Many hints of it are in the Old Testament. What an amazing aspect of God that He is one in three persons. Too big for our brains to comprehend. I’ve heard it said that if God can be understood, then He wouldn’t be big enough to solve our problems.
The cults don’t accept the trinity. They are ignoring the bible as to do this. The bible is our standard and God’s revelation to us. We can study and learn more, but we won’t be able to grasp all that God is. We glory in Him and praise Him. Thank You, Lord.
