Jesus' Ten Greatest Questions
    ​Send Me an Email Reminder before each class

Lesson 1
August 6, 2025

What do you think of the Christ?

Matthew 22:42 (ESV) 42 saying, “What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?” They said to him, “The son of David.”

Adapted from Polishing the Pulpit Branson 2025 presented by Kyle Butt
Class Overview
What do you think of the Christ?

What Do You Think of the Christ?

  • Openly confessing Jesus as the Son of God has historically carried a great cost, including persecution and death.
  • Jesus' identity is central; He is not merely a great teacher but is both David's son and David's Lord, affirming His divinity.
  • True belief requires more than intellectual agreement; it demands public confession and a transformed life.
  • We must stand firm in confessing Jesus, moving beyond passive belief to active faith and obedience.
C.S. Lewis' "liar, lunatic, or Lord" argument challenges the idea that Jesus was only a great moral teacher. Since Jesus claimed to forgive sins and accepted worship, He cannot be just a prophet; He must be who He claimed to be.

The Cost of Confession

The question, "What do you think of the Christ?" is not merely academic. Throughout history and in many parts of the world today, the answer carries a heavy price. To confess Jesus as the Son of God has often meant facing persecution and even death. Historical examples, from the early church martyrs described by Pliny the Younger to modern-day believers, illustrate the profound risks involved in openly declaring one's faith.

Jesus' Identity in Scripture

In Matthew 22, religious leaders attempted to trap Jesus with legal and theological questions. In response, Jesus shifted the focus to the most important question: the identity of the Messiah. By referencing Psalm 110, He challenged their limited view, showing that the Christ is not just the son of David, but also David's Lord. This points to a divine nature that transcends human lineage. Many acknowledge Jesus as a prophet or teacher, but scripture affirms His pre-existence, His equality with God, and His identity as Jehovah God incarnate (John 1, John 8, John 12).

The Call to a Personal Decision

Believing that Jesus is the Son of God is more than an intellectual exercise; it is a conviction that demands action. It requires a public confession and a life transformed by that belief. Jesus Himself, when before the high priest, provided the ultimate example by unwavering confessing His identity, even though it led directly to His crucifixion. This demonstrates that our own confession must be one we are willing to stand by, regardless of the consequences.

Application and Invitation

We are all challenged to reflect on what we truly believe about Christ and how willing we are to confess that belief publicly. Is our faith a private opinion, or is it a life-altering conviction? The sermon concludes with a call to respond to Jesus' invitation—to move beyond intellectual assent to an active, public faith expressed through confession, repentance, and baptism.

What Do You Think of Christ? Handout

What Do You Think of Christ?

Matthew 22:42

Class Handout for Barry's Bureau

Introduction & Persecution for Faith

The question "What do you think of Christ?" is not merely a philosophical one. In many parts of the world, answering this question in a certain way can lead to persecution. On average, about people are killed each year for confessing their belief in Jesus as the Son of God. This highlights that our confession of faith must be a deeply personal and commitment.

Jesus' Interaction with Religious Leaders

In Matthew 22, Jesus is challenged by the Pharisees, Sadducees, and scribes. After silencing them with his wisdom, Jesus turns the tables and asks them the central question: "What do you think of the Christ? Whose son is he?" They respond that he is the son of . Jesus then uses Scripture (Psalm 110) to show them that the Christ is more than just a human descendant, pointing out that David calls him "Lord." This demonstrates that the Christ is both a human descendant of David and .

The Trilemma: Lord, Liar, or Lunatic

C.S. Lewis argues that Jesus' claims about himself are so profound that he cannot simply be a "good moral teacher." According to his trilemma, Jesus must be either , a liar, or a lunatic. Jesus' acceptance of worship and his claim to sins are actions reserved for God alone, forcing us to confront the true nature of his identity.

Jesus' Trial & Confession

During his trial, the high priest asked Jesus directly if he was "the Christ, the Son of God." Jesus' powerful response was, . By affirming his identity, Jesus chose death over denial. His courageous confession serves as the ultimate example for all believers.

The Personal Application

The real thrust of this question, "What do you think of Christ?" is not just intellectual, but personal. The most important question for us is not what we know, but with what we think about Jesus. The lecture concludes by emphasizing the importance of confession, , and faithful living as our response to Jesus' identity as both the Son of David and the Son of God.

Interactive Study Questions
What Do You Think of the Christ? - Quiz

What Do You Think of the Christ?

Study Game 
Liar, Lunatic, or Lord? - Sorting Challenge

Liar, Lunatic, or Lord?

C.S. Lewis argued that based on Jesus's claims, He couldn't be just a "good teacher."
Drag each of Jesus's claims below into the category you think it belongs to.

Liar?

Lunatic?

Lord?

Timeline of Testimony - Game

Timeline of Testimony

Drag and drop the events into the correct chronological order to see how the testimony of Christ unfolds through history.

Available Events

Scripture Match-Up - Game

Scripture Match-Up

Connect the theological concept to the scripture that proves it. Click a concept, then click its matching scripture.

Concepts

Scriptures

Proudly powered by Weebly