Questions Jesus Asked

Salt is good; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? (Luke 14:34) Some of the questions Jesus asked are repeated in different gospels. This question was addressed as we worked through Matthew, and here Luke shares it as well. Jesus wants believers to know that as they live their Christian faith, they should be the positive flavoring needed in so many situations. We should speak up in favor of God and the things of God. Our actions should reflect Christ living us us. Those to whom flavor is a stranger, should find the tasty reality of God's love in us. May we never lose our saltiness when it comes to serving God.

Or what king, going out to wage war against another king, will not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to oppose the one who comes against him with twenty thousand? (Luke 14:31) Jesus wants all who would follow Him and become His disciples to weigh carefully the cost of discipleship. There is much involved! Not all will joyous follow or even accept that we have become followers of Jesus, and that might even start at home. It also involves willingness to "carry our cross," and finding out and weighing the cost of faithfulness, especially in light of a faithless generation. Today's question rightly says that warfare may be involved, and careful reflection is needed before proceeding forward: Or what king, going out to wage war against another king, will not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to oppose the one who comes against him with twenty thousand? But, it is all worth it. God is faithful, as is Christ

‘And why do you not judge for yourselves what is right? (Luke 12:57) Before Jesus addresses settling with our opponents, He asks this question: ‘And why do you not judge for yourselves what is right? We do have the capacity to know what is ultimately right. We may not see it at first, our prejudice, our passion, our desire for what we want, outshines the truth, but Jesus is saying that we should put only the truth of what is right before us, and then judge what is right. We run the risk of a more serious, and eternal judgment, if we choose not to follow what is right. Choose and do what is right before God.

And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? (Luke 12:25) Jesus apparently never saw the Astros play in the World Series! The question is an insightful one for any age. Worry is as common as breathing for some people. Some people can't exist without worrying. Jesus asks in this question, "What good is worrying?" Jesus knew the truth; worrying does not add to our lives, not even "a single hour." Truth be told, too much worrying might even reduce our life span. This question interestingly enough comes in the midst of Jesus explaining how God provides for all of us. The truth then is simple; if you want to be obedient to God and live longer, stop worrying and through prayer turn over your cares and worries to God.

‘Friend, who set me to be a judge or arbitrator over you?’ (Luke 12:14-15) Someone asks Jesus to step in and settle a family dispute over an inheritance. This prompts today's question: ‘Friend, who set me to be a judge or arbitrator over you?’ Jesus goes on to speak about greed and earthly possessions. His key statement: "For one's life does not consist in the abundance of possessions." When Jesus spoke about abundance it was in the living of life in Him (John 10:10). We are asked to live a life in Jesus, caring more for setting up our treasures in Heaven rather than seeking them here. We are to live life in abundance, in Jesus.

Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also? (Luke 11:40) Jesus again encounters challenges to His ministry, this time about outside cleanliness. Here the question is directed to those challenging Him: Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also? Jesus wanted them to know that their insides should be clean first, so that what came out of them would reflect goodness, rather than be consumed about what went into the mouth. Jesus wants us to be people motivated and geared to loving others, not just ourselves. We should put others and their needs first, rather than just serving ourselves.

Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers? (Luke 10:36) The closing question of the Parable of the Good Samaritan was a good one: Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers? The first to come upon the wounded man was a priest. One would think a priest would stop of out an obligation to his role and profession. Nope. He crossed over to the other side of the road. The second was a Levite. A member of the priestly family, one with a long tradition of serving God. No. He too crossed the street as if he owed the wounded man money. The third, Jesus says, was a Samaritan. One from whom Jews expected nothing. And one for whom the Jews might do nothing. Yet, this parable bears the name of an oxymoron for people of the day, a Good Samaritan, much like many would say, a good enemy of ours. Yet, it was the man who stopped, rendered aid, and took the man to a place whe

‘What is written in the law? What do you read there?’ (Luke 10:26) The question to Jesus was, "What must I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus' answer comes in the form of a question, today's question: ‘What is written in the law? What do you read there?’ The man responds with what is the right answer, but Jesus goes further and tells the Parable of the Good Samaritan, which says God expects all to help others, no matter cultural or racial differences; be a good neighbor to all. Jesus asks a second question: "Which of these in the parable, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?" The man replied, "The one who showed mercy." Jesus then says, "Go and do likewise." We have God's word. We should read it and understand it, but we should live it. Show mercy to someone today.

And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? (Luke 10:15) Jesus' first sermon was a call to repentance. And this question comes as Jesus addresses those cities that were unrepentant. Seventy believers were called to go and preach in towns and cities where Jesus hoped to preach later. And Jesus calls out those cities that needed to hear the gospel. The question: And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? was directed by name to one city in particular. You and I have been called by Jesus to repentance. It is Jesus' desire that we turn away from sin, and move towards life, and that in abundance. It is only then when we will be exalted to heaven.

‘Who touched me?’ (Luke 8:45) The woman in need touched Jesus. It was her faith that just a touch of Jesus' garments could heal what no doctor had been able to do for twelve years. Touching just the fringe of Jesus' garment restored her to health. It was just a slight touch when a huge crowd was pushing against Jesus to get near to hear what He might say. That touch though, was special for Jesus felt it and asks: ‘Who touched me?’ Daily people may push against us and life may be really pushing us; but do we seek to touch Jesus? This might be the time to seek to touch even just the fringe of His garment to receive a blessing like never before. We know the specialness of a touch from a loved one; come to know the touch of Jesus! Someone did when they sat and wrote, "He Touched Me." You may have a song to share about His touch upon you!

‘What is your name?’ (Luke 8:30) The thing about the passage in which this question that has always impressed me is how the demons knew Jesus and Jesus' name. They beg Jesus not to torment them. They not only knew Jesus' name, they knew His fame, for demons talk, and the word was out on this Man who could drive them out (torment). Jesus' question is to get the name of the demon or demons in this case, who were holding hostage the life of this poor man. ‘What is your name?’ The answer did not shock Jesus, there were many demons in the man, and they went by the name, "Legion." Jesus orders them out of the man and into a herd of pigs; who rush off a cliff to their death. What is your name when it comes to serving Jesus? Faithful? Fruitful? Lazy? Maybe tomorrow?

‘Where is your faith?’ (Luke 8:25) At first reading this took me back, way back, to a teacher asking, "Where is your homework?" The response was usually, uh... Here the disciples are answering much in the same way to Jesus as He calmed a storm at sea. ‘Where is your faith?’ Indeed, where is our faith especially when we have seen and experienced so many things done at the hand of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ? It's okay to scared and afraid, but deep down, there should be the quiet assurance that all will be well with Jesus at the helm of our lives. Do not let your faith take a back seat to fear.

‘Why do you call me “Lord, Lord”, and do not do what I tell you?' (Luke 6:46) Jesus had just recruited His twelve disciples and was teaching them the foundations of faith. This comes in Luke's gospel as a mini-Sermon on the Mount. He speaks of the Beatitudes, Love for Enemies, Judging Others, A Tree and Its Fruit, and now, The Two Foundations. It's important for them to hear today's question: ‘Why do you call me “Lord, Lord”, and do not do what I tell you?' To call someone Lord is to offer oneself in complete and total submission to that Lord, and as such, complete obedience should be shown to that Lord. One who calls out twice, "Lord, Lord," and yet does not do as the Lord instructs, is not worthy of serving that Lord. This was important for the 12 then, and it's important for us now. I think back with sadness about the times I was disobedient to the man I called, "Dad," and the woman I called "Mom." I made up for those tim

Which is easier, to say, “Your sins are forgiven you”, or to say, “Stand up and walk”? (Luke 5:23) Even today, most do not know the answer to this question. Most will say it is easier to say, "Your sins are forgiven." I disagree. It's harder to tell one who cannot move or walk, to "stand up and walk." Jesus answered the question by saying to the man, AFTER He told him that his sins were forgiven, to "Stand up and walk." And the man did. We may say to a person "stand up and walk" and they may look at us funny or tell us something we don't want to hear. But, if we say their sins are forgiven, we are trusting that God has indeed forgiven those sins. Jesus was demonstrating His power to do both. Jesus focuses on our needs, and knows just what to say and what to do. Trust Jesus and let Him do the talking.

Why do you raise such questions in your hearts? (Luke 5:22) This comes right before a healing of a paralytic. The friends of this paralyzed man brought him to Jesus and could not find entrance into the house, and so carry the man to the roof, cut a hole, and lower the man down. Jesus saw their faith and tells the paralyzed man that his sins were forgiven. Those scribes and Pharisees present react with horror and disgust that Jesus would dare say that his sins were forgiven, and thus the question to them: "Why do you raise such questions in your hearts?" The question might as well have been, why do we try to limit the power of Jesus in our lives? We sometimes react with doubt or with limited thinking, forgetting that Jesus is God, the God of the impossible; He who has the last word in every thing. And here we are, being asked, by Jesus Himself, "Why do you raise such questions in your hearts?" Jesus also spoke of having a childlike faith in God; those who bel

Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house? (Luke 2:49) This was the second question the boy Jesus asked His parents. They had lost Him and spend three days looking for Him, and finally found Him in the Temple. He first asked why they were looking for Him, and then this question: Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house? Jesus knew His father, and loved being in His Father's house. You have to stop and wonder if perhaps the Temple was not yet the marketplace it became some 20-plus years later when Jesus overturned tables in anger. This house was the house Jesus loved, as a place to worship, to learn, and to become the person God wanted Him to be. If we're honest, there's no better place for us to be at least once a week, than the house of the Lord, our Father. Are you known as one who can be found in your Father's house?

Why were you searching for me? (Luke 2:49) I love this story in which this question is found. Jesus and His family have made the pilgrimage to the Temple for the holy days of Passover, and on their return, the parents discover Jesus is missing after a three day journey out of the city. They return back to Jerusalem and find Him in the temple, seated among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. This question gets directed to His parents: Why were you searching for me? It does sound like the response of a child content with his/her decision to go another way than his/her parents. The parents had reason to be worried and certainly, to find Jesus, but Jesus also wants them to know that already, even at that age, He was seeking spiritual direction for His life and purpose. The question for us is not so much the same, but perhaps, Why are you not searching for me?

Could you not keep awake one hour? (Mark 14:37) All that was expected of the three inner circle of disciples with Jesus was to stay awake. Yet, Jesus found them asleep. Many have been the times I have been asked to do something, and I have not. It seemed that Jesus expected at least Peter, the leader among the disciples, to stay awake, and yet the question: Could you not keep awake one hour? In some ways, we have fallen asleep on the job. Maybe not literally, but something got away from us, or our understanding was not enough. Most of us learn from that and then press onward. Peter knew never to sleep when Jesus needed him from then on. Sadly, not too many hours later, he would keep watch over Jesus only to betray Him. Here's our goal: Stay awake, and don't betray Jesus!

‘Simon, are you asleep?' (Mark 14:37) As Jesus and the twelve came to pray, Jesus asked them to sit while He prayed. Jesus took with Him, Peter, James, and John and began to pray. Jesus' heart was heavy and distressed. As He finished praying, He found that the three with Him were asleep, thus the question to Peter: ‘Simon, are you asleep?' Sometimes our days are hectic, busy, stressful, and long. And at the end of those days, we can't stay awake. Sometimes it is the work of God that demands much of us and we find ourselves, at points, falling asleep. The question will be asked of us, and insert your name into the question: ‘___________, are you asleep?' We have work to do and we must pace ourselves to do what is expected of us.