Mark 12:35-44  After the religious leaders ran out of questions for Jesus.., Mark tells us that Jesus asked a question of His own:  "How is it that the scribes say that the Christ is the son of David?" 

The scribes knew the Scriptures.  They knew that the Lord had promised David that He would establish his throne "forever". ( II Samuel 7:8-16) 

They knew the Psalms that echoed that promise, like Psalm 89:2-4 " I have made a covenant with My chosen.. I have sworn to David.. I will establish your seed forever.."  

They knew that the prophets spoke about the Messiah.. like Isaiah 9: 6-7 "For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, On the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness for then on and forevermore..."  

They knew Isaiah 11 that tells of a "shoot" that will "spring from the stem of Jesse.. 

They knew Jeremiah's words, " Behold the days are coming, declares the Lord, When I shall raise up for David a righteous Branch; and He will reign as king and act wisely and do justice and righteousness in the land.. " ( Jeremiah 23:5)  

They knew the words of Ezekiel 34:23-24 "Then I will set over them one shepherd, My servant David, and he will feed them; he will feed them himself and be their shepherd. and I, the Lord, will be their God, and My servant, David will be prince among them; I, the Lord, have spoken." 

And.. they knew every word that Hosea and Amos and other prophets spoke. They KNEW that the Messiah would be a descendant of David. That He would be more than just a man.. that He would do more than any earthly king. 

But, Jesus asks,  what about Psalm 110?  "The Lord (Jehovah) says to my Lord (Adoni); Sit at My right hand, until I make Thine enemies a footstool for Thy feet."   Why didn't the scribes look at this divine Word?  Why did they not know that  the Messiah, the son of David would also be Jesus the Son of God? David was not greater than his "son".  David would worship Jesus because He is the Son of God!

Jesus told the people to "Beware of the scribes".. Pay attention to their actions.. to their character.. to their pride.. their greed.. their lack of compassion or love..  Pay attention to the Truth! 

Jesus told His disciples to pay attention to that which shows true love and devotion to the Father.. not the rich giving out of their "surplus".... but the poor widow giving out " of her poverty". 

What is it that we must KNOW?  We must know Jesus Christ, the Son of God who came as the Son of man.. to fulfill the prophecies.. to be the Shepherd who seeks and saves the lost.. Who is the Wonderful Counselor,  Mighty God, Eternal Father and the Prince of peace.. whose throne is established forever and who even now sits at the right hand of the Father until all His enemies are made "a footstool" for His feet. 

Father in heaven,  may we know Jesus and Jesus only.. as our Savior, our Sanctifier, our Glorious Lord and our coming King!  May we discern the truth and walk in the Light of your Word. Remove the confusion, the lies, the thorns, the things that choke out our faith.. and lead us in righteousness, in justice, in mercy and in grace. We look to You, with thanksgiving in our hearts for this great salvation that is ours in Christ Jesus. Be glorified in our lives today we pray. Amen.