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 beneath Your feet"'? If David then calls Him 'Lord,' how is He his son?" No one was able to answer Him a word, nor did anyone dare from that day on to ask Him another question. [Matthew 22:41-46 NASB]The rulers in Israel had conspire together, taking turns asking Jesus questions about the Law in an effort to discredit Him. Jesus turned the tables by asking them one question, not based on the Law, but on a promise. Unlike His adversaries, Jesus' goal was not to shame or discredit the Pharisees, but to teach them - if they would be taught.
The natural answer to Jesus question was "The son of David". This is a scriptural truth, and the Pharisees were correct in their answer.
It was prophesied, "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 From then on and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will accomplish this." [Isaiah 9:7 NASB]
Also, "“Behold, the days are coming,” declares the LORD, “When I will raise up for David a righteous Branch; And He will reign as king and act wisely And do justice and righteousness in the land. “In His days Judah will be saved, And Israel will dwell securely; And this is His name by which He will be called, ‘The LORD our righteousness.’" [Jeremiah 23:5-6 NASB]
And again, "Then a shoot will spring from the stem of Jesse, And a branch from his roots will bear fruit." [Isaiah 11:1 NASB]
In the eyes of the Jews, the Messiah was to be a man from the offspring of David. They had no concept of His Deity. In fact they tried to kill Him for making this claim, "Jesus answered them, “I showed you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you stoning Me?” The Jews answered Him, “For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy; and because You, being a man, make Yourself out to be God.”" [John 10:32-33 NASB]
Therefore, when Jesus quoted Psalm 110:1 to them, they, having gone on record denying the divinity of the Messiah, had no answer.
That He is, in fact, God is born out in the prophecies:
"“I will surely tell of the decree of the LORD: He said to Me, ‘You are My Son, Today I have begotten You." [Psalm 2:7 NASB]
"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." [Isaiah 9:6 NASB]
"“Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel." [Isaiah 7:14 NASB]
It is important for us to know who Jesus is. He is the Son of David, fully man, tempted in all ways as we are, yet without sin.
He is also Immanuel, God with us. Fully God, all powerful, all knowing, and living within the heart of each one of us who believe through the Holy Spirit.
As man, he died on the cross in the weakness of His flesh, a sacrifice without sin, and taking on the sins of the world. As God, He rose from the dead in power, having defeated death and Satan.
This is the God we serve. This is the Son we worship.
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