May I Ask You a Question?
by Judy Wallace
Jesus did. In fact, in many of Jesus’ encounters with others He would pose a question in response to one they had asked. He asked questions to believers and non-believers both. He asked questions of His closest followers and strangers He had just met. Let’s look at a few.
Some of His questions were to test people’s faith. In Matthew 9:27-30 we have an account of two blind men who were following Jesus. “Son of David, have mercy on us!” they cried. “Do you believe I can make you see?” He responded. “Yes Lord, we do.” Then He touched their eyes and said, “Because of your faith it happened.” They could see!
In Matthew 8:23-37, Jesus and His disciples were in a boat. He was sound asleep while a raging storm was happening around them. The disciples woke Him up shouting that they were going to die. To which He asked, “Why are you so fearful, O ye of little faith?” The He proceeded to speak to the storm and immediately the winds and the waves obeyed.
Later in chapter 16 of the same gospel, Jesus asked His disciples, “Who do people say that I the Son of Man am?” They responded with names of Old Testament prophets along with the name of John the Baptist. Then He gets to the point, “But who do you say that I am?” to which Peter responded, ”Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
There were questions testing their allegiance such as, “Why call ye me Lord and do not do the things that I command?” Through His questioning He was letting them know if they truly believed they would obey. Those that obeyed would be like the wise man who built his house on a firm foundation.
But I think one of the saddest questions Jesus posed to His a follower was from John 14:8-10. Philip had requested that Jesus would show them the Father and then they would be satisfied. What sorrow and disappointed he must have noted in His words when He asked, “Have I been so longtime with you and yet hast thou not known me?”
May I ask you a question? How would you respond to those we just noted that Jesus asked of others?
“Do you believe I can make you see?” Do you believe He can open your eyes to those around you that need to hear about Him? Do you give Him the time to speak to you through His word so you can see how He wants to use you in His service? Do you see the opportunities He places across your path?
“Why are you so fearful?” If you are His child then the Creator of the universe abides within you! What keeps you from believing He can and will do what He says? That He wants you to fulfill the purpose for which you were made? That He will also provide the strength and power to do that very thing?
“Who do you say that I am?” Who is Jesus to you? Do you realize Him to be Who He says He is? Does your life verify that?
Do you call Him ‘Lord’ and live it out by obeying Him? Do you ‘Go and tell’?
Finally, have you been saved for years, even decades, and not really matured in your relationship with Him?
These are questions I ask myself. ”Father, may I have faith based solely on Who You are and what You have done.”
Respond: Seek Him! Soak in His Word! Respond to the promptings and convictions He wants you to deal with!
Scripture: Read Psalm 139. Compare the first verse to the last two. Why would David proclaim the Lord had search him and known him then turn around and ask Him to search him and know him?
