Questions Jesus Asked

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? (Matthew 27:46) This question comes from Jesus as He hangs on the cross. It is also a direct quote of Psalm 22; but in the context of dying, reflects the human anguish at the pain and suffering our Lord endured for our sake. Jesus having said it reflects the times we too, may have faced something and then asked the same question perhaps not in the same way, but "where were you Lord?" or "Why did this happen to me/my loved one" etc. God had not forsaken Jesus nor does God forsake us. We may ask the question and it may begin the process of healing, but we know the real answer; God is love, and God cares for us. God is big enough for any of our questions.

Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me as though I were a bandit? (Matthew 26:55) This is the second part of the question from yesterday, when Jesus was arrested. Jesus notices that everyone who has come out to arrest Him has come as a mob right out of Frankenstein movie. The man who could easily be approached every day, and especially the man who spent time in prayer and in worship at the temple has to ask, "Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me as though I were a bandit?" How do you approach Jesus? Does it depend on your need? If you're hurting or wounded and you want Jesus to bless you, do you do it one way; but if you're angry that your prayers seem to not be answered according to your way, are you upset and approach Jesus as if you were armed with a sword or a club? Jesus can handle it. Just approach Him.

But how then would the scriptures be fulfilled, which say it must happen in this way? (Matthew 26:84) This questions comes after yesterday's question when Peter tried to stop the arrest of Jesus. He didn't fully understand what was next for Jesus and so, he tried to stop it. Jesus asks him the question for today: But how then would the scriptures be fulfilled, which say it must happen in this way? Jesus' life and purpose was the fulfillment of scripture; the plan of God to save the world. If we try to stop it or mold it to our expectations we will fail, and we will fail God. Stay connected with God and seek God's will for your life and see what a blessing that brings to you and those around you.

Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? (Matthew 26:53) At Jesus' arrest, it was Peter who drew a sword and cut off the ear of a slave present with those arresting Jesus. Jesus responds with saying "Those who take the sword will perish by the sword," and adds today's question: "Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels?" Jesus knew God's power and the resources to back up that power. Here, we get but a glimpse of all the angels standing by to protect and deliver Jesus "at once." But we trust God and let God's will be done. It is best to let God intervene at His discretion rather than ours.

So, could you not stay awake with me one hour? (Matthew 26:40) I would have been so sad and embarrassed to have been on the receiving end of this question. Jesus had asked the disciples to stay awake while He prayed. He did not ask them to pray, nor did He ask anything from them other than to stay awake. It was a difficult hour for Jesus and He wanted to know He was accompanied by companions who were awake while He suffered. But no, they were tired and weary, and they fell asleep. So, could you not stay awake with me one hour? hit them hard. Jesus has asked of us to do His work in sharing the good news. Will Jesus have to ask us, So, could you not stay awake with me one hour? I pray not.

Why do you trouble the woman? (Matthew 26:10) This question gets directed to the ever over-protective disciples. A woman has come in with a jar of costly perfume, and used it to anoint Jesus' head. The disciples claim the perfume could have been sold for a large amount of money and that money given to the poor. Jesus' question is to the point: Why do you trouble the woman? And He goes on to explain she has fulfilled a calling and done a good service for Jesus. How often have we troubled/criticized/condemned people who have done something for God that we have not agreed or approved of? It may be Jesus is asking us the same question. And He might be asking yet another question with it: Why have you not done something good for me?

How can you escape being sentenced to hell? (Matthew 23:33) Hell is a place set aside for those who choose to be separated from God; it is a place of suffering. This question was asked of those who had made it their life's calling to make living a religious life a living hell for most people. They had set up a system of interpretation of God's law in ways that hurt and humiliated so many to the point of just giving up and going away from God. Instead of offering God's grace for those seeking to better their lives and to live away from sin, they made it almost impossible to live holy lives. Hear this: God desires no one to live in hell. The ones who suffer their now have chosen their will over God's. For those now living in an earthly hell, receive the good news that Jesus has opened that door for us to walk out of our hells and live a life that proclaims the paradise that is ours by walking and trusting God. The sentence of those who trust Jesus is eternal life

For which is greater, the gold or the sanctuary that has made the gold sacred? For which is greater, the gift or the altar that makes the gift sacred? (Matthew 23"17-19) Jesus is attacking the heart of the problem with the religion of His day. The Pharisee had pretty much bent tradition and law to suit them and not God. Swearing by things other than God had become acceptable, and one of things they swore by was the sanctuary and the altar in the sanctuary; but they were leaving out God. This question: For which is greater, the gold or the sanctuary that has made the gold sacred? For which is greater, the gift or the altar that makes the gift sacred? is a call back to God and away from tradition and acceptance without question of the sacred in their lives. You and I are continually asked by God to return back to Him; for in God is where the real power lies.

‘What do you think of the Messiah? Whose son is He? (Matthew 22:42) Jesus, I believe, enjoyed time with the Pharisees. He loved them and respected them, but challenged them to go beyond where they were and how they perceived so many things. This question is meant to get them to see Him in a different light, and realize that God was indeed at work in their lives. The question is still asked of us; what do we think of the Messiah, and do we need a Messiah? Friends, the Messiah is Jesus, and He is God's Son, and all He did, He did for us. Do those around you need the Messiah?

Why are you putting me to the test, you hypocrites? (Matthew 22:18) Again being challenged by His critics about the taxes and whether it was lawful to pay taxes to the emperor or not, Jesus asks the question of today: Why are you putting me to the test, you hypocrites? This one was answered by Jesus asking for a coin to be brought to him and asked whose head appeared on it. Then the great response, "Give therefore to the emperor the gains that are the emperor's, and to God the things that are God's." In what ways do we try to put Jesus to the test? Or, when have we heard, or should have heard today's question: Why are you putting me to the test, you hypocrites?

Have you never read in the scriptures? (Matthew 21:42) This question hits home. A faithful disciple will be a well-read disciple; one who seeks to know the Lord more deeply through the study of God's word. Apart from doing good, and living faithful lives, the inspiration for living and being comes from the wells of life as found in God's holy word; and no one is exempt from reading the Bible. It is a blessing and a privilege to have access to the pages of love and life as shared by God in ages past that still holds power and peace for today. Are you reading the word today?

What do you think? (Matthew 21:28) As Jesus taught in parables, this was the logical question to ask either before or after each parable. "What do you think?" In this case, the parable was the one about the two sons. Both were asked by their father to go and work in the vineyard. The first son said no, but did go anyway and did the work. The second son said he would, but did not. Which of the two did the father's will, was Jesus' next question; but the first remains, "What do you think?" What we think influences what we do, and what we do influences others about our faith.

Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin? (Matthew 21:25) Where do you get your authority, Jesus? This was the question that led to this question from Jesus. The chief priests and the elders wanted to know why Jesus was doing what He was doing, and asked who had given Him that authority. Jesus said, answer this question and I will answer yours. "Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin?" They discussed it and argued among themselves the pros and cons of each answer, and decided that "We do not know" was the best answer they could give. We know. Or, we should know. And that makes all the difference in the world.

Why Ain't Y'all in Church? Okay, maybe Jesus didn't ask it in quite that way; but Jesus was a man of holy habits and one of them was to be in prayer and to be in worship. And if it was good enough for Jesus, God's Son, it should be good enough for us too! See you in church!

‘What do you want me to do for you?’ (Matthew 20:32) This question comes after hearing two blind men yelling, "Have mercy on us, Lord, Son of David!" Jesus asks them the question: ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ They responded, "Lord, let our eyes be opened." And that is what they received. Jesus hears our similar questions every day. What is it that we want Jesus to do for us? We should also ask Jesus, "What do you want me to do for you?"

Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink? (Matthew 20:22) This is a continuation of the discussion Jesus is having with James and John and their mom, about sitting next to Jesus. They did not yet understand all that lay before the Lord. There was a bitter cup of suffering coming to Him; could they drink from that cup? More importantly, did they know that upon having said yes to follow Him, they had pretty well said yes to their own death in manners they had not expected. Yesterday, in our Bible study class on The Story, the sermon series we are using at First United Methodist Church of Gonzales, we talked about the high cost of most things, and most things not being free anymore, and a dear lady said, "Even church?" I replied that coming to church was costly, if we did all that was required of us. Perhaps not so much in money, but in the things we are called to sacrifice for the good of saving the world. The question remains: Are you able to drink the c

‘What do you want?’ (Matthew 20:21) Yes, indeed, what is it that you want? I remember one shopping trip years ago when my nephews were very small (we had not yet been blessed with grandchildren) and as they sat in the shopping cart together we walked dangerously through the toy aisles. "I want this!" "I want that!" I asked, "Do you really need this for your life?" "YES!" The mother of two of the disciples wants something from Jesus and so Jesus asks her, "What do you want?" "I want my sons, James and John, to sit, one at your left, and one at your right." Jesus replies, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?" We may want many things, but what do we need from Jesus? Chances are, Jesus has already offered it to you.

Why do you ask me about what is good? (Matthew 19:17) Jesus was asked by one commonly called the "rich young ruler" about what good deed he should do to have eternal life. Jesus asks this question, "Why do you ask me about what is good?" Jesus' reply basically said there in only one who is good, and that is God; keep God's commandments and you will be doing good, and you will be good. And Jesus shared the partial list: You shall not kill, do not commit adultery, You shall not steal. Don't bear false witness; honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as yourself. And the kicker was to the young man's, "Well, I do all those..." Jesus said, "You lack one thing, go, sell all you have and give it to the poor, and then you will have treasure in heaven, then come, and follow me." Jesus requires our complete commitment to Him. We hold nothing back. We give all. And we live a life that blesses all.

What do you think? If a shepherd has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray?(Matthew 18:12) We matter to God. Jesus knew this and tells the story of the Lost Sheep. He had also told the story of the Lost Coin, and the most powerful of all, the Lost Son. God will do anything, and go anywhere to find and rescue us. We should never think we do not matter to God. We do. Live a life that blesses others by showing that they matter to God as well!

how much longer must I be with you? How much longer must I put up with you? (Matthew 17:17) We do not like to fail Jesus. We never set out with the thought that "Today I will fail Jesus!" It sometimes happens, and we are at a loss for words or thoughts about what we can do about it. On this particular day, the disciples failed Jesus. A father with an epileptic boy, whose condition caused him to harm himself and even to fall into the fire, brings the son before the disciples with hope that they can cure the boy of what ailed him. But they couldn't. And the dad then takes him to Jesus. Jesus' reaction is one of frustration that leads him to ask the disciples this question: "How much longer must I be with you? How much longer must I put up with you?" I wish I could say that my father never was disappointed or frustrated with me; I gave him plenty of reasons to be. And my dad may have said something along the lines of Jesus. But I never doubted m

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) Each day many set out to be remembered, to leave a legacy for loved ones. And that, in and of itself is not bad, but what is the motivation? As soon as Jesus says that we must take up our cross and follow Him, he asks this important question: 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? It is easier than we think, to lose our lives for no good reason at all. And if we think we are losing our life, most would be willing to pay whatever price to get it back. Jesus showed and taught that He was laying down His life for us, price fully paid, ours for the taking. Abundant life is ours. Choose life. Take Jesus at His word.

‘But who do you say that I am?’ (Matthew 16:15) Ah, the big question. Yesterday, we looked at the first part of this talk between Jesus and His disciples. He asked, "Who do people say that I am?" He heard their responses; but this question gets to the heart of the matter: Who do YOU say that I am? Honestly, we answer this question every single day of our lives by our actions, thoughts, and words. People can see it in us. Are we saying that Jesus is Lord of our lives by how we live? Can our children and grandchildren see a vibrant faith in us? It was Peter, my hero among those who speak before they think, but who sometimes got it right, who said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." To which Jesus answered, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in Heaven." Could Jesus say that to us by what we've said, thought, and done recently?

‘Who do people say that the Son of Man is?’ (Matthew 16:13) What an important question for Jesus to ask. Jesus already knew the answers, and He heard them from the disciples, but this set up the more personal question of who they thought He was. This question gets answered each day in our interactions with others; we know those whose lives and testimonies say that Jesus is their Lord; and we know those who have not yet found the answer of Who Jesus is for their lives. Ours is to live a life that answers that question for others by the way we speak, interact with others, and do for others. Jesus is Lord. More importantly, Jesus is our Lord.