January 26, 2020 – Questions?
QUESTIONS!
When our kids were little, we would be doing devotions after the evening meal. I would be reading from a small book of bible stories written for children. At the end of the reading, I would wait a few moments, and then yell out, “QUESTIONS!” They would jump, laugh, and then we would get to the questions about the reading.
After a while, my favourite part about devotions was the time between the devotional and my calling out “QUESTIONS!” Their faces were all smiles as they totally tensed up for the shout … and then the burst of laughter around the table. It never seemed to ‘get old.’
Being asked the questions were their favorite part. No fear of being wrong or looking silly. No sense of being in a test. Just fun around the table, which lead to some family bonding, lots of laughter, insight into our kids’ minds, and maybe a little growing in faith as well (I hope).
In the scriptures, Jesus asks a lot of questions. He asks infinitely more questions than he directly answers. He’s a rabbi, after all. He certainly teaches lessons and shares wisdom through parables, sermons and clear explanations. But don’t underestimate the importance of those questions.
He asks questions as a means of inviting conversation, opening hearts to reveal honest motivations, encouraging faith to grow. He asks questions which need to be talked about, if we are to truly be followers of Jesus.
In Mark 10, he asks a blind man, Bartimaeus, who has cried out to him for mercy in front of a huge crowd, “What do you want me to do for you?” Seems a silly question. But Bart pushes through and is honest before Jesus. He believes Jesus is the Messiah (Son of David), and is the only one who can change his life. He has cried out for mercy, and in response to Jesus’ question, tells Him he wants to see. “Here’s my problem. I can’t do anything about it. You are the only one who can be merciful. Only you can heal me.”
And Jesus says, “Go your way. Your faith has made you well.” And immediately, Bart can see. Interesting that Jesus says Bart’s faith made him well. I think that goes far deeper than mere physical sight.
And what “way” does Bart “go” to? Scriptures says – he follows Jesus.
Ah! That’s the point. This time of question and faith-full answering can actually lead to desiring to be a follower.
Everyday, Jesus is asking people, “What do you want me to do for you?”
When he asks you, and he will continually ask, be honest. Be open. Let Him help you come to faith, or grow in your faith. He loves you, and His desire for you is to desire what He desires for you. And that is being a child of God, at peace with God, knowing the peace of God.
See what questions can lead to?