A Hard Question
Study Notes
What do you think about the Christ?
Jesus Christ is God. He is the Savior, Redeemer, King and Judge.
What we decide to do with Him has eternal consequences.
In our ongoing study of the King and His Kingdom we have most recently been considering the events leading up to His arrest, crucifixion and resurrection. Jesus was teaching in the Temple area and the leaders of false religion had been asking Him questions in an attempt to trap Him in His words. Jesus patiently and graciously answered their questions and for 2,000 years the church has profited from His brilliant answers.
In our text today, Jesus is the One who asks the question and it is a dandy! Using the Psalms as His central focus, He asked a question that put the questioners in an awkward spot because the question is "the question."
- The Establishment of Common Ground
Jesus wanted to give the Pharisees another opportunity to believe God and participate in His will in a positive way. For this to happen, an agreed upon starting point would have to be established. The Old Testament was that starting point. - The Hard Question
If Daivd refers to the Messiah as Lord, how can He be David's son? Can the Deliverer of Israel be both "Lord" and "Son?" Were there two Messiahs or only one? - The "No-answer Answer"
Their refusal to answer was their answer...- Compelling evidence was becoming more available but accepting it would mean repentance, confession, surrender and a new way of life.
- The Implications
This paragraph, when added to other Old Testament revelation builds a strong case for the "hard-to-comprehend" idea that the only Deliverer that can get us out of this mess is a God-Man. Someone who could take our sin legitimately and offer life.
Some questions for family, small group or personal reflection
- Why did Jesus seek "common ground" before asking His question?
- Why was this question so "hard" to answer?
- Why was it necessary for Jesus to be God and man?
Suggested means for growth...
The Lord-ship of Jesus Christ calls us to surrender. Take some time this week to pray through the model prayer of Matthew 6:9-13.