Matthew 22:42-45 Saying, What think you of Christ? whose son is he? They say to him, The son of David.… The Book of God is not a book for the mentally indolent. An amount of mental digging is needful to discover much of the precious ore that lies hidden under the poetry, parables, proverbs, figures, symbols, and the "many things hard to be understood" in Holy Writ. "The telescope, we know," says Archbishop Whately, "brings within the sphere of our vision much that would be undiscoverable by the naked eye; but we must not the less employ our eyes in making use of it, and we must watch and calculate the motions, and reason on the appearances of the heavenly bodies which are visible only through the telescope, with the same care we employ in respect of those seen by the naked eye. And an analogous procedure is requisite if we would derive the intended benefit from the pages of inspiration, which were designed not to save us the trouble of inquiring and reflecting, but to enable us in some points to inquire and reflect to better purpose; not to supersede the use of reason, but to supply its dificiences." (J. Williams.) I. WHAT THINK YE OF CHRIST? For the religion of the Bible extends to the very thoughts. Our conduct towards Him must always be regulated by our views. II. WHAT ESTEEM HAVE YOU FOR HIM? He is esteemed by all most worthy of our regard: Abraham. What regard have you for His greatness? III. WHAT ARE YOU WILLING TO PART WITH FOR HIS SAKE? With your sins — the world — with learning — self-righteousness. IV. WHAT Is IT THAT KEEPS YOU FROM HIM? 1. Is it ignorance? 2. Prejudice? 3. Insensibility? V. WHAT WILT, YOU DO WITHOUT HIM? 1. In the conviction of conscience. 2. In prosperity. 3. In adversity. 4. In death. 5. In the great day of account. (W. Jay.) Parallel Verses KJV: Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The Son of David.WEB: saying, "What do you think of the Christ? Whose son is he?" They said to him, "Of David." |
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