"WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT JESUS?"

Introduction

H.G. Wells was an English novelist, journalist, sociologist, and historian. he has been referred to as the “father of science fiction.” Most of us are probably most familiar with his work entitled, War of the Worlds.

Wells was also a staunch atheist. Yet, even an atheist like Wells had to admit to the nature and greatness of Jesus Christ. Here is what he said about Jesus: “A historian like myself, who doesn’t even call himself a Christian, finds the picture centering irresistibly around the life and character of this most significant man… The historian’s test of an individual’s greatness is ‘What did he leave to grow?’ Did he start men to thinking along fresh lines with a vigor that persisted after him? By this test Jesus stands first.”

Even an atheist like H.G. Wells observed the greatness and uniqueness of Jesus that even many who name His name fail to understand. Today we are confronted with one direct question: What do we think about Jesus?

It is amazing what the “religious” crowd so often miss. This truth will be manifested in the text before us. There are three realities our text will reveal as we consider this question today.

REALITY #1: THERE IS THE QUESTION ALREADY ASKED (22:41)

The Pharisees have repeatedly tried to embarrass and entrap Jesus. Yet, everyone of their attempts have failed. They tried to trap Him with the question about paying the poll tax to Caesar (17). Next come the Sadducees who try to put Jesus into a corner by asking Him a ridiculous question about levirate marriage. The Pharisees hear of how Jesus shut them down and they come back to the temple for another attempt to entrap Jesus. They try to ensnare Jesus by asking a question that they could not even answer. As a matter of fact, this question was one of the most hotly debated questions down through the centuries: Of all the six hundred plus commandments in the Law, which one of those is the greatest. They didn’t have an answer and they were banking on Jesus not having an answer either. [read 22:34-40]

Again the religious leaders failed to trap Jesus with their questions of wicked motives. The Pharisees regroup to try it again. This time they did not leave the temple. This time Jesus will be the one asking the questions.

REALITY #2: THERE IS THE QUESTION THAT EXPECTS AN ANSWER (22:42-45)

Up to this point it was the Pharisees who had been asking the questions. Jesus has answered the question of the Pharisees concerning the greatest commandment of Scripture with clarity and specificity. Now Jesus will ask them a direct question and He expects a direct and truthful answer. Jesus has turned the tables on His opponents. [read verse 42a]

This was a “give me” question. it is one the Jewish religious leaders should have been ready to answer. This question concerned Israel’s Davidic king. You and I know that the response was to be David (42b). They got the answer right. That was the setup of the Pharisees by Jesus. That the was the Sunday School answer that they learned when they attended Jewish Vacation Bible School. Now the other foot is about to drop.

[read verses 43-44]

Here Jesus quotes Psalm 110 which is the Psalm most often quoted in the New Testament. It was used as an apologetic for the authenticity for the messiahship of the Lord Jesus. Here Jesus quotes Psalm 110:1 which says, “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies your footstool.”

Jesus is saying, “Okay you who call yourselves scholars of the Torah, you say that Messiah is David’s son. You are correct in saying that. Yet, do you understand the implication of what you have just said? Under what circumstance or situation is referring to his own son (descendant) as Lord?”

I have three sons and I might call them many things. However, there is one thing I know. I have never called any of them “Lord.” Yet Jesus says, “You have answered correctly that the Messiah is David’s son. However, that is only part of the answer. What you just correctly stated cannot be the entire answer because David refers to Messiah as ‘Lord.’ How are you Pharisees going to answer that one?” [read verse 45]

How can this be? Jesus is not denying the Scripture concerning the truth that Messiah is the son of David. The Scripture clearly teaches that Messiah is a Davidic king. This speaks of the humanity of Messiah. Yet it does not stop there. This is true because David refers to the Christ (Messiah) as Lord. This is the question that expects an answer.

REALITY #3: THERE IS THE ANSWER THAT LEAVES A QUESTION (22:46)

With this verse we have the blasting noise of the sound of silence. This is the end of all the questions from the religious leaders trying to entrap Jesus. At the end of Matthew twenty-two, those who continually sought to accost, ensnare, and entrap Jesus with their questions are done. There will be no more questions. Jesus has turned the tables on these phony religionists at every turn. The only question that remains is the one whirling in their minds: “What just happened?”

Conclusion

We have come to then end of Matthew chapter twenty-two. What we discover about this chapter is that it is not merely about a parable about a king’s wedding banquet for his son. It is not a question from the Sadducees about levirate marriage with a nonsensical illustration of a woman killing off seven husbands. Neither is it about the greatest command that summarizes what the Torah is all about. Yes, it is about those things because they are contained in Scripture. Ultimately however, it is the truth that all those things are pointing to who Jesus Christ is and therefore our responsibility to Him. That fact that Jesus answers the questions of this chapter points to the fact that He is Messiah, the very Son of God. The fact that Jesus asked the Pharisees why David called Messiah his Lord, is for the reason that Jesus Christ is making His identity crystal clear for all who have eyes to see and all who have ears to hear.

Approximately one hundred fifty years ago, a group of twenty distinguished Americans met together in the Astor House in New York City during the presidency of Millard Fillmore. Among the dinner guests was Secretary Daniel Webster. Webster had been uncharacteristically quiet that evening. Trying to engage him in conversation, a colleague of his asked, “Mr. Webster, will you tell me what was the most important thought you ever had?” Following a brief silence, he confidently replied, “The most serious thought that ever occupied my mind was that of my individual responsibility to God.

This was what Daniel Webster thought about Jesus. The Freemasons think that there is a God.. However, in their thinking Jesus is human, but not God. Which position do you affirm? Are you with Daniel Webster or are you with the Freemasons. What do you think about Jesus?