Questions Jesus Asked

If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? (John 3:12) This is a continuation of Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus; remember, "Nick at Nite?" As Jesus explains spiritual things, He uses earthly illustrations to better explain spiritual truths, thus the question: If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? Faith is what Jesus was looking for Nick to have in all of these matters; a faith that trusts and strengthens, even if we don't completely understand all things. It will lead to a faith that will share these truths with others, especially the little ones that don't yet know. Lord, give me such a faith!

Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things? (John 3:10) Nick at night! This comes from the conversation that Jesus had with Nicodemus, at night, about all Jesus was doing. Nick didn't understand, especially when Jesus spoke about being born again. Nick thought it was a literal thing; Jesus is speaking spiritually. And the question puts Nick on the spot, for he was a teacher of Israel, a spiritual man, and he did not understand. There is much we still don't understand, but we continue to ask and seek the answers, with Jesus being the first and main answer to and for our lives. May our quest to grow closer to Him and to know more about Him not get us in a situation where Jesus would ask us: Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things? Lord, I seek to know more.

Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? (John 2:4) Jesus' first miracle came at the insistence of His mother at the wedding they were all attending. The wine ran out, and Mary just knows that Jesus can do something about it. This question shows a little reluctance on His part towards this opportunity. "Woman, what concern is that to you and to me?" and Jesus also added a statement to that question: "My hour has not yet come." Yet, Mary tells the servants to be ready for whatever Jesus asks of them. And, we know the rest of the story, Jesus turned water into wine. We may be asked to do something by our Lord and we might respond with the same question that Jesus used here; but, we should be open, willing, and ready, to do whatever glorifies God and brings honor to God's name. You ready?

What are you looking for? (John 1:38) Jesus is approached by some of John the Baptist's disciples, who sought to follow Him. This is the question Jesus asked them: What are you looking for? It was important for Jesus to ask, for He wanted those who wanted to follow Him to know exactly what they were getting into. They at that initial moment knew only what their master John has told them, that this was the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. That is an intriguing thing to know, but did they know it would involve three years of hard ministry, that would end with the death of Jesus and eventually their own death? Did they know that Jesus would ask them to take up their cross and follow Him? It is good to look for the righteous things in life. If you have found and follow Jesus, you're on the right path. Still, the question remains for us: What are you looking for?

‘Have you anything here to eat?’ (Luke 24:41) In the celebration of the disciples seeing and being with the risen Christ, Jesus is hungry and asks the question: ‘Have you anything here to eat?’ Jesus' resurrection was a physical one, and so the risen Christ is hungry; He was in the tomb for three days and had nothing to eat, and being with them, he knew them to be resourceful fishermen and asked the question and gets a piece of broiled fish to eat. Jesus also had said earlier that our place in Heaven would be determined by our willingness to share and care for others, and the first need to care for was hunger. We feed the risen Christ every time we give food to the hungry. Have you anything in your heart that drives you to share food with the hungry?

Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? (Luke 24:38) If there was a repeated command in the stories leading up to Jesus' birth it was "Be not afraid." Fear serves no lasting positive purpose in our lives; in fact, if we don't come to grips with our fear, we end up losing big time. As Jesus walks with these two believers on that Emmaus road, this was an important question: Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? Jesus was hearing stories of their faith, but the last event, the crucifixion, left them reeling with fear and doubt. You and I walk alongside the risen Christ every day if we invite Him to, and He would ask us the same thing: to have the power and presence of Jesus, how could we possible have fear and doubt?

Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory? (Luke 24:26) More from the walk to the village of Emmaus. As the two believers shared their grief with Jesus, Jesus asks the key question: Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory? They, like us, sometimes think that it's best not to think about crucifixion or the suffering of Jesus, but Jesus' question puts it into perspective. The scriptures pointed to a Messiah, and they told of all He would suffer and endure, BEFORE He entered into his glory. Glory comes after suffering. The old sermon, "It's Friday, but Sunday's coming!" was based on that realization. Friday may bring crucifixion, but Sunday brings glory! Sunday brings us the resurrected Jesus, Who will never know death again!

‘What things?’ (Luke 24:19) This question comes on the Walk to Emmaus, when Jesus asked the two disciples walking along what they were discussing. They replied, ‘The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place. Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him.’ The things they discussed were important to them, and to Jesus, and the question reinforces that. What things about Jesus are important to

‘What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?’ (Luke 24:17) This is from the story called the Walk to Emmaus. The resurrected Jesus meets two believers on the road to the village Emmaus discussing all the events of Good Friday. They did not know what to make of all they saw and experienced, and certainly did not expect Jesus in their midst. But, Jesus joins them and listens and asks, ‘What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?’ That question led to His answering all their questions and blessing their faith. Do we allow Jesus to answer our questions, especially during times of doubt and trials? Jesus knows the answer and for many of us, Jesus is the answer. (Add your own question and see if Jesus can't be the answer!)

For if they do this when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry? (Luke 23:31) This terrible question comes as Jesus is being led away to the trash heap where he will be crucified and die. Simon of Cyrene had just taken the cross to carry for Jesus, and Jesus hears the women wailing and crying for Him; He speaks a prophetic word, with this question thrown in: "For if they do this when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?" Jesus asks us to imagine a time when things will be worse for us than we can possibly imagine. Green wood does not burn easily; dry wood does. Imagine a time when things will be worse. The answer is for us to not let things get that bad. We have voices, we should speak up. We have hands and arms, we should help out. We have faith, we should live a life that blesses God.

Why are you sleeping? (Luke 22:46) Prayer time on the Mount of Olives found the disciples sleeping and not praying as Jesus requested. It was a sad discovery for Jesus, but a very natural response for the men He chose to follow Him. Yet, Jesus needed to ask the question; in light of the difficult work expected now for what's coming next, Why are you sleeping? Jesus knows our need to rest, but He also knows that our guard can ever be down. We must stay vigilant in our work and not slumber when it is time to be in prayer. Rest as needed, at the appropriate time, but when things are heating up, stay awake!

For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one at the table? (Luke 22:27) The disciples never stopped being human. Yes, they were exposed to Greatness in the person and teachings of Jesus, but their hearts still longed for more, and one of these things was greatness. It wasn't enough they were among only twelve hand selected by Jesus to be followers of the Son of God, they wanted to know who among them was the greatest of the 12? Jesus explains that in the true kingdom, the Kingdom of God, greatness is not what the world calls greatness, it is in the positions of service and help to others. And Jesus reminds them to watch Him and to learn from Him. The first will be last, and the last first; so it is with those who serve. True greatness seeks to bring others up, not down.

And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth? (Luke 18:8) What a scary thought to have, that faith might die because of our lack of prayer! This question comes in the same passage as yesterday's question about prayer and our need to pray. Would the day ever come when you or I would stop praying, or has that day already come? Jesus lives a life of prayer. He prayed so often that His disciples asked Him to teach them how to pray. Jesus taught about prayer, because He knew prayer and was blessed and strengthened by it. Yet, the danger is real; the life of one who no longer prays dies a spiritual death. And Jesus is so concerned about it He has to ask: And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth? May our answer start now as we pray: Our Father, who art in Heaven, Hallowed by Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive our trespasses as we forgive those who t

And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? (Luke 18:7) The importance of prayer is stressed in this question found in the parable of the Widow and the Judge. The judge was known for not having neither fear of God nor respect for persons; yet the widow persisted in her request. So much so, that the judge relented and granted her wish. In the same way, we should pray without ceasing that which we believe we need. Jesus' own answer: And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? Indeed, God hears and answers. Not always the way we would like, but still faithful in responding to His people. Pray on!

Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? (Luke 17:17) Teaching a child to say thank you is a great first step towards touching his/her heart for the future. In our church, there are two tiny boys who, when handed a piece of candy, immediately say, "Thank you." Gratitude helps set one's altitude higher than the rest. In this question today, ten lepers had been healed by Jesus, and only one, a non-Jew, came back to thank Him. Jesus had to ask His disciples, Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? Where are you when God does something great for you? Are you visible with your gratitude? Do you make it know that God provides so much for us? Or, are you among the majority, who would rather just walk away thinking you were entitled to the healing, blessing, deliverance, victory? Go back and say, "Thank You, Lord!"

If then you have not been faithful with the dishonest wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? (Luke 16:11) This question comes towards the end of Jesus' Parable of the Dishonest Manager. It is about making all things right, and taking care of the things with which God has entrusted us. The call is to faithfulness in all things, especially staying connected with God as we grow older. It just may be the things that we do right today will help us in the things of tomorrow. So, seek to glorify God today in all things, and blessings will be ours.

Or what woman having ten silver coins, if she loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? (Luke 15:8) The lost matter to God, as Jesus explains in this parable about a woman who loses a coin. For many in the crowd that coin could have meant a meal or no meal; rent or homelessness. In the same way, you matter to God. It is better to be found than lost. Good news: God is looking for you! Call out to God and say, "Here I am!"

‘Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it?' (Luke 15:4) This is the first of the "Lost" stories in Luke 15. Jesus relates to the audience by sharing a story common in His day to all who heard Him. If they themselves did not own sheep, they knew someone who did; as well as all that was involved in caring for sheep. A lost sheep was a big deal. Jesus said, a lost sheep of God's, is a MAJOR deal. If we are lost, our job is to get found by God. If we're found, our job is to help God find others who are lost. It may require getting out of our chair on Sunday and going to work that day and all of the week. Get busy!