What Think Ye?
The capacity to think, reason, and contemplate is something God saw fit to give only to humanity. While the four-footed beasts may very well be trained, or seem to understand as owners/masters give commands and such, not one of them can reason. Whatever “selections” these animals make as situations occur will not change their state after the breath of life exits their bodies for the final time. Much of what they do in life is dictated by instinct.
This is one all-important difference between us and our “dear furry friends”. Our choices have eternal consequences. We are sometimes asked to “opine” or give our opinion on religion or various other subjects. But does our opinion ever really matter? We all have an “opinion” of ourselves, but we are cautioned in Rom 12:3 as The Spirit had Paul write that we are not to think of ourselves improperly. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. This should help us see that the Word of God is the standard, and not our opinion or what we think.
Christ, while living on earth, used the phrase “what think ye?” to solicit a response from those whom He taught. In Matthew 21:28 He asked the people to reason as He presented a situation to get them to reveal their thinking openly after they asked Him by what authority He did things. But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard. If they had really given thought to their answer, they would have realized that what Christ had done was to expose their hypocrisy.
Unfortunately, like many today, they failed to grasp the idea the Lord was putting forth. He already knew what they thought and was aware that some of the Jewish leaders would rely on their own thinking about Him as they had done regarding the baptism of John, and as they were doing in regard to the Law of Moses. While speaking with the Pharisees in Matthew 22:41-42, Jesus used the same phrase “what think ye?” to put an end to the myriad of questions being asked which were designed to trick or ensnare the Lord in His Words. While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, 42 Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The Son of David. He asked them what they thought about the messiah. After their response, and a follow-up question by Jesus, vs 46 tells that none could answer and from that day the questions ceased. And no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions.
As our thoughts come from inside, they reveal how we feel or understand a situation. Often these thoughts are converted to words to express our desires in regard to that being contemplated. In Matthew chapter 26 following the arrest of the Lord, He was being interrogated by the council, the chief priests and the elders. False witnesses were sought against Jesus so He could be put to death. Initially none were found, but at last some were found who repeated something Jesus had indeed said, but “twisted” what He had said to make it an accusation, to suit the desires of the Jewish authorities. When Christ made no response, the high priest asked Him directly if He claimed to be the Son of God. Christ’s answer in Matthew 24:64 caused quite a stir. Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. He was speaking of His authority.
The response of the Lord here elicited a demonstration from the chief priest that swayed the council to bring formal charges. The priest tore at his clothes and leveled the charge of blasphemy against the Lord, a charge which under the Law was punishable by death. The chief priest then sought affirmation by the council. We read this in verse 66. What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death. Oh, the indignities heaped upon our Lord, the Son of God by that council! The things done to Jesus were not even permitted by the Law of Moses. The chief priest had gotten the council to “think” like he did and now they thought their desire to put an end to Jesus and His teaching would come to fruition.
What they could not know was that even death would not put and end to Jesus or His teaching. Previously in Matthew 16:13-15 Jesus had asked His disciples whom did man say He was and then asked the disciples (apostles elect) whom they said He was. In verse 16 we read of the response of Peter, which the Lord stated in verse 17 had been revealed by God. Then in verse 18 Jesus proclaimed death would not “end” Him, but following His death the long-awaited kingdom (the church) would come. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Then in Matthew 28:18-20 following Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection, He met with the eleven, told them of His authority, and commanded them to teach and observe all He had taught them. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Now, the question for you is: “What think ye” of Jesus? Will you submit to His authority and be obedient to the gospel and then live for Him faithfully until death? Remember, your choices have eternal consequences.
Dennis Strickland – Mooresville church of Christ
