The Great Questioner

Reading a month or so ago, I came across the topic, or statement, a simple topic, that read, “what about the questions Jesus asked.” To me that was very intriguing.

Is it possible that after all these years of reading the scripture and commenting on them, there could be something new? I tell you the truth, these few weeks on this topic have been like a hidden treasure.

I am amazed, and overwhelmed, when the Holy Spirit speaks. He still speaks. He is willing to check you, converse with you, question you and he can and will do it through the scriptures.

Jesus is a great questioner. He is a bad answer man. Think of all the questions he was asked:

Will you now call down the kingdom of heaven?

What must I do to inherit eternal life?

Will you give us a sign?

Can we sit on your right and on your left?

Would you believe Jesus asked more questions than He was asked? In the four gospels he asked 307 questions, He was asked 108, He answered 8.

We won’t cover all 307, but between SS, morning worship, and evening services, we will discuss a number of the topics and discuss the questions He answered.

Jesus was 40 times more likely to ask a question than answer one. Do you know anyone that asks great questions?

Hudson Hatch is number 1 and Hayden Hatch is number 2 when he is in stride. It goes like this:

Hi Poppa, what are you doing, why, what will you do next, what color, why, who picked the color, when, where did you buy the paint, why, will you use it all, why does it come in a can, who makes the can, what do you do with the leftover paint?

I have a salesman here in Tulsa that is a great questioner and even better gossiper. Telephone, telefax, tele_____ fillin the blank an the word gets around!

What question would you ask Jesus?

It goes like this.

What question would Jesus ask you?

Do you think His question to you would have to do with your faith or your retirement account? The depth of your love or your busy schedule? Why?

Do you remember this question Jesus asked; “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?”

There were much less traumatic questions than this: such as the road to Emmaus, after His resurrection from the dead, what was the question?

“What are you talking about as you walk along?”

“Another simple note: do you have anything here to eat?”

“How about this simple question: Do you love me?”

Take note that Jesus asked different kinds of questions and to different ends. He even used the most difficult rhetorical questions.

Have you ever been really frustrated and asked someone a question only to get a question in return? ERRRRRRRRRRRRR i just want an answer!

Rhetorical: “who among you by worrying can add a single moment to your life?”

At times, in tough moments, Jesus asks probing questions that take our mind off our situation and cause us to search ourselves for truth in faith:

Who do you say that I am?

At times He challenged His disciples: “why could you not watch with me one hour?”

Jesus is walking on the water, Peter says, if its you Lord, command me to come to you. Jesus says come. He walks out on the water and after a moment he begins to sink! What question did Jesus ask Peter?

“Why did you doubt?”

Why did you doubt?

How about the blind man on the road to Jericho, Jesus asks him, “what do you want me to do for you?”

And he answered, I have a cramp in my foot...

No! That I might see.

Listen, you may assume you know what another wants, or needs, but do you ask? Their answer might surprise you. The truth is, we do a better job hiding our answers so we don’t have to feel rejection, hurt when we don’t get what we need, or embarrassment.

Jesus doesn’t presume to know what he wants, He is asking. He is showing the blind man respect.

When the guards arrive at the Garden of Gethsemane He, Jesus, steps up and says, “Who are you looking for?” He asks it again to Mary at the tomb, who are you looking for?

Let me ask you, who are you looking for? If it’s the answer man, this Jesus isn’t he. If you need the keys to a get rich quick scheme, not here; or a list of the tasks you can accomplish to get into heaven, nope. How to befriend God and have all your prayers answered, sorry.

No, this Jesus asks the questions. Hard questions. Gut wrenching, deep diving, personal, get in your business questions.

Who are you looking for?

What do you want me to do for you?

Where is your faith?

Why did you doubt?

The questions Jesus asks have a purpose. He doesn’t ask silly questions a 7 year old would ask to keep the conversation going. Through His questions He communicates indirectly. He is not transferring knowledge like a lecture would do, no, He is asking you to do some of the work. When Jesus asks a question and you listen, hear, and process the question, your silent answer may shock you.

You may hear your mind change on the issue. You may have your inner motive exposed You may experience understanding you have never experienced before.

Spending time with the questions Jesus asked can bring valuable eternal rewards. Are you willing? Are you willing to listen, grow, be challenged, and even transformed?

There is a Jewish tradition entitled Seder. Seder is a ritual feast the first night of Passover. Central to the Seder is the retelling of the story of liberation of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt. The retelling is prompted by asking five questions.

The first question is, “why is this night different from all other nights?” It is customary for the youngest child at the table to ask the questions. Questions run deep in Jewish tradition. We should encourage the curiosity of our children and help them ask good questions, particularly of Jesus.

Who is your neighbor?

What is your name?

Do you see this woman?

Who do men say that I am?

Who do you say that I am?

Why does this generation seek a sign? (long pause)

Ask again?

(Long pause)

In a conversation with Nicodemus Jesus actually answered a question.

John 3:4–7 NKJV

Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’

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Communion...

Prayer

Psalm 26:1–4 NKJV

Vindicate me, O Lord, For I have walked in my integrity. I have also trusted in the Lord; I shall not slip. Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; Try my mind and my heart. For Your lovingkindness is before my eyes, And I have walked in Your truth. I have not sat with idolatrous mortals, Nor will I go in with hypocrites.

Closing

Psalm 144:3 NKJV

Lord, what is man, that You take knowledge of him? Or the son of man, that You are mindful of him?

Psalm 144: