While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them saying, ‘What think ye of Christ?’” (Matt 22:41-42).
Over four centuries ago, a famous man stated: “’Tis not every question that deserves an answer.”
You’re most likely thinking to yourself, “Oh, how true it is!” Why is that? Well, maybe the answer is because we are bombarded every moment of our waking day with questions. Whether it’s the boss asking for information, the teacher testing your knowledge, your toddler asking why the sky is blue, or the voice over the speaker asking if you want fries with that burger. Our minds are subjected to hundreds of questions each and every day.
As we grow older, we develop filtering mechanisms to determine which questions are important to respond to and which are not. The greater the importance of the question asked the more attention we give it.
Please allow me then to kindly ask you the most important question you will ever consider in life. It is the same question the Lord Jesus asked the religious leaders one day: “What do you think of the Lord Jesus Christ?” Before you respond, consider this: This question not only deserves an answer but must be answered because the eternal welfare of your soul depends upon it!
You may be wondering why the Lord Jesus asked this question. The religious leaders were tempting Him with questions which they hoped would prove that His teachings were false. In the end, His answers proved all the more that He was the eternal Son of God, but Jesus had a question for them. It was not a question intended to harm or confuse but a question marked by love and grace which could only come from God himself.
Jesus asked, “What think ye of Christ?” His motive was pure. As Luke would write concerning Jesus, “For the Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). Jesus was seeking to reach their understanding and reveal to them the purpose of His coming into the world and how He would accomplish the purposes of God and ultimately provide eternal salvation for man through His death on the cross.
Consider three reasons why you must answer this question. First, because of Who He is; second, because of what He has accomplished for man; and, third and finally, because of His offer to you and me.
Who He is
The Lord Jesus Christ is not merely a famous historical person. He is the eternal, living Son of God. The Word of God tells us the eternal Son was made flesh (became a man) that He might reveal His Father in heaven and ultimately give His life for our sins. The apostle Peter preached, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12).
What He has accomplished for man
There is no better proclamation than what the apostle Paul stated, “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures” (1 Cor 15:3-4).
His offer to you and me
The Lord Jesus offers us salvation “through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Eph 1:7). The apostle Paul further writes: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God; not of works, lest any man should boast” (Eph 2:8-9).
Dear reader, your eternal destiny can be changed in a moment by accepting the gospel message and receiving, through faith, the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Savior.
Remember, this question must be answered: “What think ye of Christ?”