The Common People Heard

Therefore, David himself calls Him Lord; how is He then his Son? And the common people heard Him gladly.

Mark 12:37

Christ was the Master of preaching Christ. This may sound a bit odd, however, the preaching of Christ is the primary purpose of preaching. He must be our primary subject and the supreme focus of our attention. He is the message of the Scripture from Genesis to Revelation. Christ came to seek and to save those who are lost. He did so and does so by revealing Himself. Thus, Christ preached Christ to the people who heard. What is significant is who received His message. Our text declares ‘the common people heard Him gladly.’ These were not the high and the mighty. These were not the kings and the counselors. They were not intellectuals or theological teachers of morals and ethics. They were not the rulers of the synagogues or the controllers of the temple. The people who heard Christ gladly were the ordinary everyday people. They got up early to do perhaps menial jobs. They were performing regular duties. They were often tired, perhaps sick, and ever hungry for something to satisfy them as nothing else could. Christ and His message of forgiveness, salvation, and eternal life met their deepest needs. He was the bread of life upon whom they could feed and be satisfied. He is the same Christ today. He is still the Messenger whom we hear gladly.

Our Great and Gracious Savior,
we rejoice that You still speak to us by the power of Your Spirit.
We praise You that He takes the things that belong to You,
and shows them to us.

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning