"Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them a question, saying, What think ye of the Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The son of David. He saith unto them, How then doth David in the Spirit call him Lord, saying, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, Till I put thine enemies underneath thy feet? If David then calleth him Lord, how is he his son? And no one was able to answer him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions" (Matt. 22:41-46).

The question of Jesus - What think ye of the Christ? – is one that is worthy of our answer. What we think will have an effect on how we live – how we respond to Jesus and the teachings of his word. What we think will have a bearing on where we spend eternity. Do we think highly enough of the Christ?

Some followed Jesus seeking fleshly advantage. They gloried in the notion that they were children of Abraham, and they hoped that would bring them more glory in the kingdom. When Jesus fed the 5,000 in John 6, they were impressed, and John writes of him, "Jesus therefore perceiving that they were about to come and take him by force, to make him king, withdrew again into the mountain himself alone" (John 6:15). Jesus purpose in saving their souls was not even on their minds.

Others were not that deep. They followed Jesus wanting to be fed again. "Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw signs, but because ye ate of the loaves, and were filled" (John 6:26). Jesus told them, "Work not for the food which perisheth, but for the food which abideth unto eternal life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him the Father, even God, hath sealed" (John 6:27).

There were many who were outright hostile to Jesus. In Matthew 2, Herod sought to kill Jesus while he was still an infant. The Pharisees and the scribes went so far as to bribe witnesses against Jesus that they might incite the multitudes and put him to death. They were motivated, as Pilate observed, by envy (Matt. 27:18). Peter makes accusation against them:

"But ye denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted unto you, and killed the Prince of life; whom God raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses" (Acts 3:14-15).

Some believed, but were afraid to confess him. "Nevertheless even of the rulers many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess it, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: for they loved the glory that is of men more than the glory that is of God" (John 12:42-43).

There were some who knew Jesus was a great teacher come from God, but were confused about his identity as the Messiah. "Now when Jesus came into the parts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Who do men say that the Son of man is? And they said, Some say John the Baptist; some, Elijah; and others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets" (Matt. 16:13-14). Even the soldiers sent to take Jesus recognized the difference in his teaching (John 7:45-47).

Some took him lightly because they "grew up with him." "And coming into his own country he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works? Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joseph, and Simon, and Judas? And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things? And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honor, save in his own country, and in his own house. And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief" (Matt. 13:54-58). It is possible that we also who have "grown up with Jesus" hold him not in reverence as we should. Is zeal the special province of those who did not grow up in the church?

A. THE CREATOR( John 1:1-3 ). DEITY!!!!

B. THE SON OF GOD( Matt. 16:15-17; Rom. 1:14 ).

C. THE SACRIFICE FOR SIN( 1 Pet. 2:24 ).

D. THE REDEEMER( 1 Pet. 1:18-19 ).

E. OUR SAVIOR( John 14:6; Acts 4:12 ).

F. WHAT DID HE DO?( Heb. 10:19-20 ).

G. HOW DOES THAT EFFECT US?( vs. 21-24 ).

H. HE IS GOD'S CHOSEN RULER( Eph. 1:20-23 ).

I. WE MUST OBEY HIM( Heb. 5:8-9 ).

Knowing who Jesus is and what he has done will effect our lives? "For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that one died for all, therefore all died; and he died for all, that they that live should no longer live unto themselves, but unto him who for their sakes died and rose again" (2 Cor. 5:14-15).