What Do You Think About the Christ? A Life-Changing Question

“While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, ‘What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?’ ‘The son of David,’ they replied.”

Matthew 22: 41-42

Dear Friends, 

Living in a small town, you often discover surprising family connections. Over the years, I’ve formed many friendships, and just when I thought I knew someone well, I’d learn they were related to another friend in ways I hadn’t realized. These discoveries deepened my understanding of their family history and, in turn, of them.

Understanding someone’s background helps us understand them more fully. Jesus recognized this truth and used it to challenge His critics. He asked them a question—not to trap them as they had tried to trap Him—but to make them think.

What Do You Think About Christ?

While the Pharisees stood together, frustrated by Jesus’ wise responses to their trick questions, He turned the tables by asking:

“What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?”

The Pharisees thought they knew all about God’s promised Messiah. After all, they were experts in the nation’s history and in God’s law. They confidently responded with what they thought was the appropriate answer, “The son of David.”

Jesus Exposes the Pharisees Misunderstanding

While technically they were correct in their answer – the Promised Messiah would come through the genealogical line of King David – they really didn’t know the full story. Jesus exposed their misunderstanding with another question.

“How is it then that David, speaking by the Spirit, calls him ‘Lord’?

Jesus then quoted from Psalm 110, a passage the Pharisees knew well.

“The Lord said to my Lord;

Sit at my right hand

Until I put your enemies

Under your feet.”

If the Messiah was merely David’s descendant, why would David call Him “Lord”? The only logical conclusion was that the Messiah was greater than David—both his descendant and his divine Lord.

This truth pointed directly to Jesus’ unique identity: the Son of God and the Son of Man, born of a virgin through the Holy Spirit. But the Pharisees, unwilling to acknowledge the obvious, fell silent. From that moment, they dared not question Him again.

Family Lineage is Significant

Family lineage is significant. It shapes identities and relationships. Sometimes, though, family connections can be complicated! In my own family, my sister married one of the eldest of seven siblings, while my son married one of the youngest in the same family. As a result, my son, John-Keith, while a cousin to my sister’s children, is also their uncle. It’s not always easy to explain!

Similarly, Jesus’ genealogy was both simple and profound. As the Son of God, He left heaven to join the human family. As the Son of Man, He was born into David’s kingly line. Matthew carefully records this in the first chapter of his Gospel.

Why does this matter? Because Jesus’ dual identity—divine and human—enabled Him to take our place in death. Hebrews explains:

“But we see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because He suffered death, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone . . . . Since the children have flesh and blood, He too shared in their humanity so that by His death He might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil—and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.” (Hebrews 2:9, 14-15)

A Personal Invitation

Understanding Jesus’ family connections isn’t just an intellectual exercise; it’s a personal invitation. The Apostle Paul wrote:

“You are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household . . . .” (Ephesians 2:19).

Jesus joined our family, so we can join His. Isn’t that amazing?

The Pharisees refused to accept this truth, but the question still stands today.

What do you think about the Christ?

Your answer can transform your family history – for eternity.

Love,

Mama

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