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I. SOME PEOPLE DO NOT THINK MUCH ABOUT HIM ANY WAY. Their minds are preoccupied. They think of something else.

1. These Pharisees were evidently stunned by our Lord's inquiry.

2. We meet those in our time who have reached no convictions worth recording.

3. It is not the part of a wise man to miss such a question as this.

II. SOME DO THINE; AND NOW IT IS OF MUCH IMPORTANCE THAT WE INQUIRE WHAT THEY THINE.

1. There is a historic ideal of Christ. This admits the facts of His life.

2. There is a theologic ideal of Christ. A cold dogmatism is the result.

3. There is a poetic ideal of Christ. One imagines a Jesus to suit himself; the result is mystic or emotional.

4. There is an evangelic ideal of Christ. A sacrifice for sin. It holds all the history; receives the theology; accepts the poetry; it recognizes the atonement.

III. LET US ASK WHAT THIS WILL DO FOR US?

1. Observe, then, how thinking affects the character; ideals control life. Observe also that one may study his ideal through his personal experience and character; and that is the safest way. What is your notion of Christ doing for you?

3. Observe that the only safety for a young believer is found in accepting the scriptural Christ for his all in all.

4. Observe how pitifully the the world's hero-worship contrasts with the Christian's love.

5. Observe that in after ages the question will be reversed; then it will be of the highest moment to ask, What does Christ think of me?

(C. S. Robinson, D. D.)

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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."