What Question Would Jesus Ask You?
Good Morning Friends,
Today I would like us to ponder the most likely question that Jesus would ask us as individuals today. Somehow I think that in the meditation we might just discover a roadmap to a much happier and successful and purposeful and significant life. Jesus asked a lot of the questions that revealed that he was convinced that the leaders of the day were trying to mess up God’s plan. He spoke of a materialism which literally blinds people to the signs of the times; he spoke of politicians who assume the power which belongs to God alone. He spoke of unhealthy alliances, of a national life confused, of religion that had become a man-made discipline. But he also gave hope that their society might become a glad response of people who through obedience learn the liberating truths of God. Perhaps so too he instructs us to accept the divine as part of the structure and spirit of society. Perhaps in asking the right questions we will be guided to the conclusion that God is in charge. Friends, God takes charge by asking questions. And the Bible is filled with very telling questions that are used to teach us. God asks Adam in the garden,” Where are you”? God asks Cain,” What’s wrong with you”? God asked Job, “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?” Jesus asked His disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” The list of questions goes on and on to enlighten us. So, What Question Would Jesus Ask You?
Scripture: But the Lord God called to the man, and said to him, “Where are you?”
Genesis 3:9 (NRSV)
Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this that you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent tricked me, and I ate.”
Genesis 3:13 (NRSV)
Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone.
Mark 10:18 (NRSV)
He asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Messiah.”
Mark 8:29 (NRSV)
Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division!
Luke 12:51 (NRSV)
For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life?
Matthew 16:26 (NRSV)
Yet you do not even know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.
James 4:14 (NRSV)
And he sighed deeply in his spirit and said, ‘Why does this generation ask for a sign? Truly I tell you, no sign will be given to this generation.’ And he left them, and getting into the boat again, he went across to the other side. Now the disciples had forgotten to bring any bread; and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. And he cautioned them, saying, “Watch out–beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod.” They said to one another, “It is because we have no bread.” And becoming aware of it, Jesus said to them, “Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes, and fail to see? Do you have ears, and fail to hear? And do you not remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you collect?” They said to him, “Twelve.” “And the seven for the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you collect?” And they said to him, “Seven.” Then he said to them, “Do you not yet understand?”
Mark 8:12-21 (NRSV)
Jacob was left alone; and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he struck him on the hip socket; and Jacob’s hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. Then he said, ‘Let me go, for the day is breaking.’ But Jacob said, ‘I will not let you go, unless you bless me.’ So he said to him, ‘What is your name?’ And he said, ‘Jacob.’
Genesis 32:24-27 (NRSV)
He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” He asked, “Who are you, Lord?” The reply came, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But get up and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.”
Acts 9:4-6 (NRSV)
Message: There are lots of questions asked by lots of people in the Bible but by far Jesus asked the most…somewhere between 200 and 300 depending on how one counts.
He was a rabbi and as teachers they are expected to ask questions. The thing is that it helps us learn as well. When the right question is asked at the right time it makes us think about what we are thinking. It is a kind of Metacognition that helps us to become more aware. The Holy Spirit might just ask you some questions today right here and right now. There really is no answer that satisfies most of the questions Jesus asks, nor does Jesus expect one. There is typically a finality in a question answered directly. And our faith is more ambiguous than that. It, as love, requires an ongoing answer. So too what Jesus wants from Saul in today’s text from Act is a life-changing decision to obey the instructions he will soon receive. Invariably the questions of Jesus require more actions than answers; decisions not debate. When Jesus asks, he unnerves, realigns, transforms, and subverts all the old assumptions and loyalties. Perhaps we’ve come to think that Jesus is God with all the answers but we might do well to think of Jesus as the man with all the right questions as well. Perhaps Jesus has one for you today.
Pray we know when to ask a question, when to answer a question, when to act and when we need to just be quiet. Pray we realize that the right questions reveal who we really are. Pray we believe in the love of God for us. Pray Jesus teach us to focus on what is important. Pray the Holy Spirit empower us. Pray God reveal the promise of His presence in the everyday moments of life. Pray we ask questions of God in prayer that reveals His goodness in the face of evil in this world. Pray our souls are saved. Pray our questions are given over to Jesus in prayer. Pray when Jesus gives us an interabang we not rush to answer but fall to our knees. Pray we are ready to act when Jesus asks us a question that will changes lives. Pray we answer the invitation to join the growing awareness. Pray we realize that there are few easy answers in life but an abundance of hard questions.
Blessings,
John Lawson
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