Jesus Existed Before Christmas
Psalm 110
Good morning
Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. NKJV
Around the Christmas holidays, we see nativity scenes with the baby Jesus lying in a manger. But like we said last week, Jesus is eternal, He had no beginning and He will have no end.
Jesus was with the Father in heaven for eons past and of His reign, there shall be no end.
Before Jesus ascended back to heaven, He said to the Father in John 17:5, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was. NKJV
Please open your Bibles to Psalm 110 as we continue in our survey of the Psalms.
Shepherd’s thoughts said, “Psalm 110 highlights several aspects of the Messiah’s greatness. The first verse addresses how people can question the greatness of the Messiah.
We might wonder if Jesus is truly the answer to life’s problems or if He’s really the way to God.
But verse 1 of Psalm 110, as quoted by Jesus, makes it clear: the Messiah is not just a great king in David’s line; He is the Son of God.
The Messiah’s greatness surpasses human understanding, and even the great King David recognized Him as Lord.
This is the Jesus we celebrate at Christmas—the one who descended from David’s line, but whose reign and authority extend far beyond.”
I. God spoke to God.
Read Psalm 110:1
They say if you talk to yourself, you are okay but if you argue with yourself, there could be a problem.
Medical News Today said, “People may find their self-talk affects their mental health if they are negative and self-criticize when they talk to themselves.”
One of the most central doctrines of the Christian faith is the knowledge that the LORD God came in the form of a baby in the person of Jesus Christ.
Christ was both fully human and fully God at the same time.
Here in Psalm 110:1…Before the incarnation of Christ, King David was given a vision of a conversation in heaven between God the Father and God the Son.
While studying for this passage, I decided to read a Jewish Rabbi’s position on Psalm 110, since it so clearly refers to the coming Messiah as God.
My question is “How could a Jewish person read this passage and not realize that Jesus is the LORD God of heaven?”
Rabbi Kravitz said this Psalm was about David and not the coming Messiah, as David spoke in the 3rd person about himself.
Rabbi Kravitz said, “When God invited David to "sit at My right hand," it showed the protection given by God and the privileged position enjoyed by David in his relationship with God.
It is not to be taken literally, indicating sitting at God's right hand. The terminology "right hand" is here used as an expression of God's protection and favoritism toward David.”
The problem with Rabbi Kravitz’s assumption is that the text itself refutes the rabbi’s finding, and we have even more proof.
I have said this before and I will say it again, “scripture is the best commentary for scripture”.
Psalm 110 is not only expounded upon in the Book of Hebrews, but this Psalm is quoted by Jesus, as He attributes it to Himself.
Matthew 22:41 While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them,
Matthew 22:42 saying, "What do you think about the Christ? Whose Son is He?" They said to Him, "The Son of David."
Matthew 22:43 He said to them, "How then does David in the Spirit call Him 'Lord,' saying:
Matthew 22:44 'The LORD said to my Lord, "Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool"'?
Matthew 22:45 If David then calls Him 'Lord,' how is He his Son?"
Matthew 22:46 And no one was able to answer Him a word, nor from that day on did anyone dare question Him anymore.
James Montgomery Boice counted 27 direct quotations or indirect allusions to Psalm 110 in the New Testament.
Jesus quoted Psalm 110 showing how David called the Messiah “Lord”, showing the Messiah was greater than David himself.
Peter quoted Psalm 110 on Pentecost, showing how it prophesied the deity and ascension of Jesus in Acts 2.
Paul referred to Psalm 110 in 1 Corinthians 15, showing the dominion of the Messiah, Jesus Christ.
The author of Hebrews quotes this Psalm in chapters 1 and 10 showing the superiority and dominion of Christ.
David was privy to a conversation between the Father and Son.
Psalm 110:1 The LORD said to my Lord, "Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool." NKJV
LORD (all caps) is translated as Yahweh, the Triune God, which can refer to the Father, Son, or Holy Spirit, each as Yahweh.
James Boice said, “Lord (lower case letters) is Adonai (boss, master) refers to an individual greater than the speaker.
“David is citing God’s words in which God tells another personage, who is greater than David, to sit at God’s right hand until He makes the person’s enemies a footstool.”
This verse in the original language says, “Yahweh (the LORD God) said to Adonai (boss, master) to sit in His enthroned place of power until the Father gave full victory to Jesus the Messiah”.
“Till I make Your enemies Your footstool”,
Matthew Poole said this was “the manner of Eastern princes, who used to tread upon the necks of their conquered enemies.”
Jesus conquered His enemies of sin, death, and Satan on the Cross, and He will have a victory for all the world to see at the Battle of Armageddon at His second coming.
In Psalm 110 God the Father is calling God the Son, God.
Hebrews 1:5 I will be to Him a Father, and He shall be to Me a Son"
Hebrews 1:6 But when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says: "Let all the angels of God worship Him."
Hebrews 1:7 And of the angels He says: "Who makes His angels spirits and His ministers a flame of fire."
Hebrews 1:8 But to the Son He says: "Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom.
Hebrews 1:9 You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; therefore God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of gladness more than Your companions." NKJV
This is the First Person of the Trinity speaking to the Second Person of the Trinity, calling Him God, which is a unique and powerful piece of evidence for the deity of Jesus.
What a joyful scene that must have been, the celebration of the entire Trinity in heaven.
Again as Shepherd’s thoughts said, “the Messiah is not just a great king in David’s line; He is the Son of God.
The Messiah’s greatness surpasses human understanding, and even the great King David recognized Him as Lord.”
II. The strength of Messiah’s Kingdom.
Read Psalm 110:2-3
Notice, “out of Zion”. David’s army was a mighty force at the height of his kingdom, but Messiah’s Kingdom will ultimately go into the whole world, with an even mightier army.
Psalm 110 seems to point forward to the great army at the battle of Armageddon.
Revelation 19:11 Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war.
Revelation 19:12 His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. NKJV
Notice, “Your people shall be volunteers in the day of Your power”
When the LORD’s people see the mighty victory of Jesus, they will all willingly serve the King of kings and LORD of lords.
James Boice said, “There are no mercenaries in this battle, no slaves pressed into the ranks of Jesus’ soldiers. This army is composed entirely of volunteers.” (James Boice)
In the New Testament, Jesus’ followers are often referred to as bond slaves or bondservants. The word in Greek is Doulos, which means a servant by choice.
Notice, “In the beauties of holiness”
A.R. Faussett said, “The appearance of the worshippers, who, in this spiritual kingdom, are a nation of kings and priests, attending this Priest and King.
These worshipers are clothed in those eminent graces which the beautiful vestments of the Aaronic priests typified.”
Jesus is holiness personified and He has also made His followers a holy priesthood.
1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; NKJV
Paul said in 1 Thessalonians 3:13, so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.
Then notice, “From the womb of the morning, You have the dew of Your youth.”
The Messiah will lead His people, continually in the strength of youth, refreshed by the early dew of God's grace and Spirit.
During the Christmas season, we are reminded of Jesus’ humble beginnings, born in a manger because there was no room for Him in the Inn, but Jesus didn’t remain as a baby.
When Jesus physically comes back, He is coming with a rod of iron and will rule and reign in triumph, as His Kingdom is established forever.
III. A Priest forever.
Read Psalm 110:4
The LORD has sworn and will not relent shows us the promise from the Father to the Son will happen, Jesus is a priest forever.
All of the priests of Israel entered the priesthood through Levi and Aaron and were appointed to the priesthood because of their family lineage.
The Messiah, Jesus Christ, is appointed to the priesthood directly by God the Father. Jesus is the High Priestly King.
Who is Melchizedek? In Genesis 14 we read the narrative of Abraham rescuing his nephew Lot from some kings that attacked Sodom and other cities and took the people hostage.
Abraham succeeded in rescuing Lot and recovering all the goods seized by the five kings.
Then as Abram was on his way back home, he met a king named Melchizedek.
Abraham offered the priest Melchizedek a tithe of the spoils of war and Melchizedek served Abraham communion before communion was instituted.
Melchizedek’s name means King of Righteousness and in Canaanite, Melchizedek’s name means my king is God.
• He was the king of Salem, which was later named Jerusalem. Shalom means peace or ‘foundation of peace’.
• Melchizedek was also a priest of God Most High, “El Elyon” the highest God.
Some people believe the choices of who Melchizedek is, are…
Some people believe he was just an obscure historical person in history, who was a great priest and king.
Some people believe he was Shem, Noah’s son Shem, who was still alive at that time.
Some believe Melchizedek was a type or picture of Jesus Christ (A life that illustrated Christlikeness), known as a typology.
Some people believe Melchizedek was a Theophany or a Christophany, the LORD in human form before the manger.
A Theophany (Christophany) is a pre-incarnate appearance of God the Son, the Lord Jesus Christ before His physical birth.
Colossians 2:9 For in Him (Christ) dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. NKJV
The LORD appeared to people in the Old Testament on several occasions:
The LORD fought with Jacob, He appeared to Moses, Isaac, and several others as well. Who did these people see?
Jesus said in John 6:46, “Not that anyone has seen the Father, except He who is from God; He has seen the Father”.
Every Theophany, where God takes on human form and appears to men, foreshadows the incarnation, where God took the form of a man for us in the person of Jesus Christ.
The religious leaders confronting Jesus about His claims said in…
John 8:56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad." NKJV
John 8:57 Then the Jews said to Him, "You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?"
John 8:58 Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM." NKJV
Question: When did Abraham see Jesus, since Abraham was around 2000 years before Jesus was in the manger?
Abraham saw Jesus during the times the LORD God met with Abraham, especially during the meeting with Melchizedek.
Who is this King of Righteousness, King of peace, who has no beginning and no end?
No matter if you believe Melchizedek is a picture of Jesus or that He is indeed Jesus our Savior from the pages of the OT…
Jesus is the true King of peace and King of Righteousness, who is the only One who can offer righteousness and peace to us!
Romans 3:21 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets,
Romans 3:22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. NKJV
It takes perfect righteousness on our part, to be able to enter into the presence of a perfect, holy God, which of course we know is impossible because all have sinned.
Sin separated mankind from the close personal relationship with God, once enjoyed by Adam and Eve. But now we are adopted into God’s family so, we can come boldly into His presence.
Because Jesus, our High Priestly King has gone before us into God’s presence behind the veil, we are granted access by faith in Christ into the Holy of Holies.
The New Testament Covenant was fulfilled by Christ through His shed Blood. Now we can draw near to God Almighty like a close personal friend, who is always praying for us.
Hebrews 7:25 He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. NKJV
Imagine, the LORD Jesus Christ is praying for our peace right now!
With the two decrees that the Messiah is both King and Priest, He has the authority of the king and the authority of the priest together in the sovereign reign of One perfect ruler.
IV. The conquest of the Messiah.
Read Psalm 110:5-7
This part of the Psalm tells of the ultimate victory of the LORD during and after, the rulers of the world come against the Messiah, during the End Times.
“The Lord is at Your right hand”.
The right hand is considered the power and favored side of the LORD.
Alexander Maclaren said, “The second part of the psalm carries the King into the battlefield.
“He (Messiah) comes forth from the throne, where He sat at Yahweh's right hand, and now Yahweh stands at His right hand.” (Maclaren)
The Father and the Son act in unison as they battle together. The battle belongs to the LORD and He is always victorious.
Notice, “He shall execute kings”.
The power, might, and righteousness of Messiah cannot be overcome by any world king or authority.
Notice, “He shall judge among the nations”
As Messiah conquers the nations, He will also bring judgment to those who refuse to accept His forgiveness and grace.
Notice, “He shall fill the places with dead bodies”.
This again, is the same picture we see in Revelation 19, during the Battle of Armageddon.
Alexander Maclaren said, “The choice for every man is being crushed beneath His foot, or being exalted to sit with Him on His throne.”
“It is better to sit on His throne than to be His footstool.”
As this passage says, “Therefore He shall lift up the head”
As nations of the world, who refused to accept Christ, receive their judgment, the Messiah is refreshed and exalted.
C.H. Spurgeon said, “His own head shall be lifted high in victory, and his people, in him, shall be upraised also.”
V. Practical Application.
Matthew 1:23 "Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which is translated, "God with us." NKJV
Around the Christmas holidays, we see nativity scenes with the baby Jesus lying in a manger. We should remind ourselves that Jesus is eternal, He had no beginning and He will have no end.
Although David was a great King within Israel, he wrote Psalm 110, inspired by the Holy Spirit, to show how Messiah was so much higher than David, himself.
During these holidays may we spend time adoring Jesus for who He is, He is not only greater than David, but He is ruler over all, He is perfectly righteous, just, but also merciful to sinners.
May Christmas be a season of worship, as we celebrate the One who came from heaven to save us and reign as King forever.
Jesus was with the Father in heaven for eons past and of His reign there shall be no end.
Jesus said to the Father in John 17:5, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was. NKJV
Shepherd’s thoughts said, “The Messiah’s greatness surpasses human understanding, and even the great King David recognized Him as Lord.
This is the Jesus we celebrate at Christmas—the one who descended from David’s line, but whose reign and authority extend far beyond.”
Because Jesus is our Eternal Priest, His flesh and blood have secured our righteousness and peace.
By relying on our Great Eternal High Priest, Jesus Christ, He gives us His Power, His Presence, and Purpose for our lives!
Our High Priestly King did not remain as a baby, but grew up, took the Cross, bled, died, and then rose again, offering us new life and the forgiveness of sin.
The best Christmas gift you will ever receive is the one that Jesus offers you right now. “Oh come let us adore Him, Christ the King”.
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. NKJV
