While Jesus was teaching in the temple courts, he asked, “Why do the teachers of the law say that the Messiah is the son of David? David himself, speaking by the Holy Spirit, declared: “‘The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet.”’ David himself calls him ‘Lord.’ How then can he be his son?” The large crowd listened to him with delight.
Mark 12:35-37 NIV
The Son of God
Birth rate is one of the most important contributors to a country’s population growth. It also greatly impacts the country’s decisions on policies regarding the economy and health, education, and pension system. Canada, along with other Western countries has seen falling birth rates for several decades, which is one of the causes behind the aging population and workforce shortages. Canada currently has a birth rate of just over 10 live births per 1,000 people, almost three times lower than in 1950. There were 351,477 live births in Canada in 2023.
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In the book of Matthew, Jesus often refers to Himself as the Son of Man. He loved that title and more than that, loved that as the Creator, He was able to relate to what it meant to be fully human. That being said, at the same time, He continued to be full deity. In Mark 12:35-37, we read, “While Jesus was teaching in the temple courts, he asked, ‘Why do the teachers of the law say that the Messiah is the son of David? David himself, speaking by the Holy Spirit, declared: “The Lord said to my Lord: ‘Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet.’” David himself calls him ‘Lord.’ How then can he be his son?’ The large crowd listened to him with delight.” Jesus was explaining to this Jewish audience that even David understood that not only would the Messiah be among his descendants but would also be his Lord. Jesus, fully human and fully God – what a revelation to David and to us. This is a mystery and so very much a part of God’s plan to bring us back to Him.
These have been words from the heart.
Bob Beasley