The Power of a Question
Matthew 19:16-18 A man came to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to have eternal life?” Jesus answered, “Why do you ask me about what is good? Only God is good. But if you want to have eternal life, obey the law’s commands.” The man asked, “Which ones?”
If only life were simple … but it simply isn’t. It’s messy, it’s complex. People’s emotions, ours included, are fickle. We’re often faced with tricky situations. Yep, life is anything but simple.
When was the last time someone annoyed or even hurt you by trotting out a glib response, some well-worn platitude to a really tough situation you were facing? How did that make you feel?
Jesus was often confronted with difficult issues.
Matthew 19:16-18 A man came to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to have eternal life?” Jesus answered, “Why do you ask me about what is good? Only God is good. But if you want to have eternal life, obey the law’s commands.” The man asked, “Which ones?”
A good question. Jesus’ response? Another question, which led to a fulsome discussion of a life and death issue. In fact, I’m told that in the four gospel accounts of His life – Matthew, Mark, Luke and John – He’s asked 187 questions. He answers (maybe) eight of them. He himself asks 307 questions. He often told parables that people didn’t understand. Without doubt they’d go home talking amongst themselves, “What do you think He meant by that?”
There’s such great power in asking questions – of ourselves, of others, of God’s Word. It’s a habit that opens up the imagination; that stimulates the thought process; that invites a discussion.
As someone once said, perhaps faith is about learning to ask and then to sit in the complexity of good questions. How might your life change if you asked more questions of God, if you sat and pondered them in the light of His Word? Don’t be afraid to ask.
That’s His Word. Fresh … for you … today.
Blessed by this devotion?
Share it with a friend!
Respond