THE QUESTION ENDING QUESTION

When the Jews chose their Passover Lamb, for 14 days it was isolated under close inspection.  It was examined thoroughly to see:

• If there were any flaws
• If there were any imperfections
• If there were any blemishes.

And the reason for the close inspection was simply that this Lamb had to be without spot or blemish according to the Law.

In Matthew 22:15-46, you see Jesus, our Passover Lamb, being thoroughly inspected by the critics, who are seeking every possible opportunity to find a flaw, a blemish in Christ.  They are doing everything they can to pierce the purity of Christ’s Armor.

There are basically three groups here doing the questioning, yet not a single one of them was able to find a single kink in His armor, as verse 46 says, “And no man was able to answer Him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask Him any more questions.”

1. The first group was the Herodians – These were the politicians of Christ’s day who were concerned with the relationship between the church and the state;

2. The Sadducees (who were the liberal theologians) – they denied the resurrection of both the spirit and the body.  The put a theological question to Christ concerning the resurrection.  And of course question shut them down by stating that God was God of both the living and the dead;

3. Then there were the Pharisees (they were the religious “right”) – they wanted Christ to pick one commandment that stood out above all of the 375 commandments in the Torah, and then they wanted Him to tell them why it was the most important.  His reply was, “ Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind.”

After Jesus answered all their questions, He then put a question to them that would end all their questions.  He said in verse 42, “What think ye of Christ?  Whose son is He?”

Now that I’ve given you the background of the text, I’d like to ask you a question:  What Think Ye of Christ?  Whose Son is He?

Every person reading this has an opinion about Christ.  You have heard of Him.  You have read about Him, about His life and Ministry, as well as His miracles.  We have read about His death on an Old Rugged Cross and of His resurrection from the Grave on the Third Day!

History (or HISstory) records for us that He did in fact live on this earth for 33 ½ years, and somewhere in the depths of your soul you can’t help but think of Him.

And folks, if you have the wrong thoughts of Him, and the wrong relationship with Him, you are not only in trouble in this life, but you’re in trouble for all eternity.  On the other hand, if you have the right thoughts of Him, then you are building on a foundation that cannot be moved.  On Christ the solid Rock I stand, ALL other ground is sinking sand.”

If you are going to have the right opinion about our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, then you must base your verdict on the facts, the evidence, Knowledge and understanding.

And in order to help you do that, I would like to turn this into an eyewitness court appearance based on Scripture. So, let’s gather the facts – let’s weigh the evidence and see who Christ really is.

So, as in any court room, let notice both the witnesses for the Prosecution and the Defense:

THE WITNESSES FOR THE PROSECUTION

The Pharisees

1. They were definitely against the Lord.
2. They neither accepted Him or His message.
3. In fact, they likened Christ to Beelzebub.
4. So we would like to ask them, “Is it true that while Jesus was dying on the Cross in Matthew 27:42, that you said:  “He saved others; He himself He cannot save?”  YES, THAT IS TRUE, WE DID SAY THAT.
5. That’s good.  Ladies and gentlemen of the court, I would like to take just a                  moment to remind you why Jesus came in the first place.  Luke 19:10 says                Jesus came to seek and to save that which was lost.”  So it is true – HE                couldn’t save Himself.  In order for you and I to live, Christ had to become our          sacrifice.  He had to make a choice!

I Now Call Judas Iscariot

1. This is the one who betrayed Christ with a kiss in the Garden of Gethsemane.
2. This is the one who betrayed Christ for 30 pieces of silver.
3. Now here he is in our witness box.
4. Judas Iscariot, what do you have to say about this matter?
5. I HAVE BETRAYED THE INNOCENT BLOOD!
6. Judas, did we hear you right?  Are you saying that the one you betrayed with a          Kiss for 30 meager pieces of Silver was innocent?
7. I HAVE BETRAYED THE INNOCENT BLOOD.

I Now Call the Judge Himself – Pontius Pilate

1. Now he is the one that ordered Christ to be scourged, beaten, stripped of His              clothes and nailed to a tree – crucified.
2. Pilate, is it true that the Blood of Jesus is on your hands, that you gave the                  order to crucify Him?  YES.
3. And Pilate, what were your findings concerning Christ? “I FIND NO FAULT IN HIM!” (and folks, you won’t either!)
4. So Pilate, you “Find no fault in Him,” yet you turned Him over to be                  crucified anyway?  YES.

Now I’d Like to Call the Centurion to the Stand

1. This is the man that actually carried out the orders of Pilate.
2. This is the man that drove the nails into the hands and feet of Jesus.
3. He was one sitting there casting lots for the garments of Christ.
4. He is the one who hoisted the Cross into the air and the one who thrust the                  spear into the side of Christ.
5. Mr. Centurion, is it true that you are the one that actually crucified Christ on              the Cross?
6. It is true – I was there.  I saw the three hours of darkness fall on the land;           I heard Him as He cried out “IT IS FINISHED.”  I watched them take His                 lifeless body off the Cross and bury Him in a borrowed tomb.  Yes Sir – I               was there.”
7. Centurion, What Think Ye of Christ? I think “Truly, this was the Son of God.”

THE WITNESSES FOR THE DEFENSE

Simon Peter

1. The bold one; the boisterous one; the blaspheming one.  This one that denied              Christ 3 times.
2. Peter, there was a time when you denied Christ 3 times right?
3. YES, THAT IS CORRECT.
4. Peter, What Think Ye of Christ?
5. I think, “There is none other name under Heaven given among men,                       whereby we must be saved!”
6. I think “He is the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Now Let’s Call Doubting Thomas to the stand.

1. This is the one who stated to the other disciples, “Except I take my finger and               poke it into the print in my Lord’s hand. Except I take my fist and plunge it                     into His side – I will not believe!”
2. Thomas, What Think Ye of Christ?
3. “He is my Lord and My God!”

We could also call to the stand this morning that great cloud of witnesses from               Hebrews 12:1, and I believe if you were to ask them what they think of Christ, they             would say in unison – “WORHTY IS THE LAMB OF GOD.”

So, What Think Ye of Christ?  This court scene was only a mock scene – or as they call it in Law School – a Moot Court.  Yet, every one has to answer that question for ourselves.

What Think Ye of Christ?  We will either confess Him or we will reject Him.  Our destiny depends on how we answer that question.  I believe the Lord would desire that we all  say like Peter – HE IS THE CHRIST, THE SON OF THE LIVING GOD!  Or, like Thomas – HE IS MY LORD AND MY GOD!?

God loves you, but He will not override your will, so let me close by asking you someone asked me many years ago:  WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO WITH JESUS?