Whose Son is Christ? Matthew 22: While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, “What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?” (22:41-42a)

Timeline of Passover Week Monday – Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey colt to a Messiah’s welcome Tuesday – Jesus cleansed temple of sacrifice merchants and money changers Wednesday – He entered the city again and on the way He cursed the fig tree – The Judgment Parables While teaching in the temple courts, the religious leaders questioned the source of his authority Jesus condemns the Jewish leaders through the parable of the tenants Jesus condemns the multitudes through the parable of the wedding banquet Wednesday – Responses to Three Questions Jesus answers the question regarding payment of taxes to Caesar Jesus answers the question regarding the resurrection Jesus answers the question regarding the greatest commandment –Jesus questions the Pharisees – Whose son is Christ?

The Most Important Question in the World!!! “Who is Jesus Christ?” – Is He simply a man, the son of David? – Is He the divine Son of God? This question defines the battle lines of biblical Christianity – The one doctrine apart from which all others are meaningless – If He is not divine He could not be the Savior of the world, and men would have no way of becoming reconciled to God

Who is Jesus Christ? Many people who do not trust in Jesus as their Lord and Savior still rank Him as the highest model of humanity – Jean-Jaques Rousseau – French philosopher – “When Plato describes his imaginary righteous man... he describes exactly the character of Jesus Christ.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson – poet – held Jesus to be the most perfect of all men who have appeared on earth – John Stuart Mill – English philosopher and economist – “the pattern of perfection for humanity” Beneath these compliments is the denial that He was anything more than a man Who is Jesus Christ??

The Incisive Question (vv a) The Pharisees were gathered together wondering what to do next after unsuccessfully entrapping him with their questions Jesus asked them a question about the Christ – Did not ask directly about Himself – Wanted the Pharisees to focus on what they already believed about the Christ – “Whose son is he?” i.e. from what Jewish line was He to be descended? While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, “What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he? (23:41-42a)

The Inadequate Answer (42b) The Pharisees were convinced the Messiah was no more than a man, the son of David – Scribes taught that “the Christ is the son of David” (Mark 12:35) – Various Old Testament scripture supported that 2 Samuel 7:12-13 and Psalm 89 Amos 9:11 The answer that the Christ would be the Son of David was partial and inadequate – Jewish leaders thought the title Son of David was too great for Jesus – But, in reality it was much too limited “The son of David,” they replied. (23:42b)

The Infinite Reality (vv ) Greek word for Lord is kurios Hebrew word for Lord is Adonay Because God’s covenant name, Yahweh or Jehovah, was considered too holy to be spoken the Jews always substituted the word Adonay David was speaking under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit – Greek phrase “speaking by the Spirit” is identical to that used by John of his vision on Patmos He said to them, “How is it then that David, speaking by the Spirit, calls him ‘Lord’? For he says, ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet.”’ If then David calls him ‘Lord,’ how can he be his son?” (23:43-45)

The Infinite Reality (vv ) First Lord mentioned in this verse is God (Yahweh); second Lord mentioned is the Messiah (Adonay) The Lord (Yahweh) said to David’s Lord (Adonay), “Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet.” David addressed the Messiah as his Lord Jesus’ question to the Pharisees – If David then calls Him “Lord,” how is He his son? – David would not have called a mere human descendant as “Lord” Jesus’ point – The title “son of David” alone is not sufficient for the Messiah; that He is also the Son of God

The Inappropriate Response (v. 46) The Pharisees and other religious leaders were: – Dumbfounded but not convinced, – Silenced but not convicted, – Humiliated but not humbled, – Reluctantly impressed by not believing Self-righteous religion will always be the greatest enemy of the gospel – Secularism generally is indifferent – Human religion is invariably hostile No one could say a word in reply, and from that day on no one dared to ask him any more questions. (22:46)