The King’s Supreme Question

Big Idea: Your eternal destiny hinges on how you answer Jesus’ question: “What do you think about the Christ—whose Son is He?” He is simultaneously David’s Son and David’s Lord, fully man and fully God.

Overview

In the temple courts during the final week before the cross, Jesus turns the tables on His interrogators. After answering three hostile questions, He poses one of His own drawn from Psalm 110: “Whose Son is the Christ?” The Pharisees reply, “The Son of David,” a reply that is accurate yet fatally incomplete. Jesus shows from Scripture that the Messiah must also be David’s Lord, sharing God’s throne and glory. The sermon presses home that every person must decide what they believe about Jesus’ identity; being wrong here is the difference between light and darkness, forgiveness and judgment, heaven and separation from God.

Key Scripture

• Matthew 22:41-46 — The foundation of the whole message: Jesus confronts the Pharisees with His identity.
• Psalm 110:1 — The theological anchor: David calls the Messiah “Lord,” revealing His deity.
• 2 Samuel 7:12-13 — The messianic promise: the Christ must be a physical descendant who reigns on David’s throne forever.

Main Points

1. The Identity Question: “Whose Son is the Christ?” (vv. 41-42)

• Asked in the temple on Tuesday of Passion Week, before a large crowd.
• Appears personal but is doctrinal; it exposes hearts more than it sparks debate.
• The Pharisees answer, “The Son of David,” reflecting widespread Jewish expectation founded on texts like 2 Samuel 7 and Micah 5.

2. Infinite Implications: David’s Son and David’s Lord (vv. 43-45)

• Jesus quotes Psalm 110:1, accepted by all as a messianic psalm.
• Logic of His question: No father calls his own son “Lord,” so the Messiah must be more than human.
• Only solution: the Christ is both fully human (David’s heir) and fully divine (sharing Jehovah’s throne).
• Jesus affirms David wrote “in the Spirit,” underscoring Scripture’s inspiration and authority.

3. Inadequate Answers Then and Now

• Ancient and modern misidentifications: prophet only (Islam), archangel (Jehovah’s Witnesses), spirit-brother of Lucifer (LDS), magician (Talmudic slurs), mere moral teacher (skeptics).
• All collapse because they ignore the full biblical witness: virgin birth, sinless life, miracles, resurrection, and lasting influence unparalleled in history.
• Silence of the Pharisees (v. 46) illustrates the peril of refusing the obvious: Jesus must die or be worshiped—neutrality is impossible.

4. The Supreme Question to Every Heart

• You may be wrong on many issues, but not on Jesus.
• Answer determines life vs. death, light vs. darkness, forgiveness vs. sin, fellowship with God vs. eternal separation.
• Believers see Jesus as the object of faith, subject of life, Shepherd, Lord, Substitute, and coming King who will literally sit on David’s throne.

Application

The call: Recognize and confess Jesus as both Son of David and Lord of all, receiving Him as Savior and King.

Head — Study the Scriptures that reveal the Messiah’s dual nature; let prophecy and fulfillment shape your convictions.

Heart — Worship with awe that God became man for your salvation, and rest in His perfect sinless love.

Hands

1. Ask someone this week, “What do you think about the Christ—whose Son is He?” and listen.
2. Be ready to give a reasoned answer, drawing on Psalm 110 and Matthew 22.
3. Live under Jesus’ lordship: obey His commands and trust His promises daily.

Reflection Questions

1. How would you answer Jesus’ question in your own words, and why?
2. Which aspect of Jesus’ identity—His humanity or His deity—do you tend to overlook?
3. What modern “inadequate answers” about Jesus do you encounter most, and how can you respond biblically?
4. How does recognizing Jesus as both Lord and Son change the way you face sin, suffering, or uncertainty?
5. Who in your life needs to consider this supreme question, and how will you start that conversation?

Prayer

Lord Jesus, Son of David and Lord of all, open our eyes to see You as You truly are. Thank You for becoming man without ceasing to be God so that we might be forgiven and brought near. Root our minds in Your Word, fill our hearts with reverent worship, and move our hands to share Your truth in love. We bow before Your throne and confess that You alone are Savior and King, now and forever. Amen.