When Jesus Doesn’t Answer Questions

When Jesus Doesn’t Answer Questions

In a teaching delivered at Founded in Truth Fellowship, the focus is on the intriguing way Jesus, or Yeshua as referred to, often responded to inquiries. Instead of providing straightforward answers, Jesus frequently posed questions in return. This approach wasn't due to a lack of knowledge; the speaker asserts that Yeshua, being in constant communion with God, possessed all the answers. Rather, this method served a deeper purpose, inviting his listeners, then and now, to engage in deeper reflection and cultivate understanding rather than simply receiving information.

The teaching highlights that questions are powerful tools for education and learning. While Google can provide instant answers, true understanding requires processing information, grappling with concepts, and explaining them in one's own words. By asking questions, Jesus encouraged critical thinking and moved people beyond surface-level knowledge. This method allowed individuals to develop their own wisdom and navigate complex situations effectively. As the speaker notes, having the answer is different from understanding the answer; understanding enables one to solve other problems and navigate future inquiries more adeptly.

The speaker, likely Matthew Vander Els, illustrates this point by examining various instances in the Gospels. Jesus asked approximately 183 questions and only directly answered around eight, or perhaps as few as three, depending on interpretation. Conversely, he himself asked 307 questions. This significant disparity underscores the importance Jesus placed on the process of inquiry and contemplation.

One early example cited is from Luke chapter 2, where a young Yeshua, at the age of twelve, is found in the temple engaging the teachers, not just answering but also asking questions, to the amazement of those present. When his concerned parents, Mary and Joseph, find him after searching for three days and ask why he treated them this way, Yeshua responds with questions of his own: "Why were you searching for me? Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?" This early interaction sets a pattern for his ministry.

The teaching emphasizes that Jesus’ questions often challenged preconceived notions and invited deeper reflection on his message, what it meant to be his follower, to love God, and to have right relationships with others. His questions weren't always seeking information; sometimes they were rhetorical, designed to provoke thought or make a point. Examples include "Can any of you, by worrying, add a single hour to your span of life?"

Furthermore, Jesus' questions served to move beyond stereotypes and encourage seeing individuals as human beings with inherent value. The story in Luke chapter 7 of the woman anointing Jesus' feet at the Pharisee Simon's dinner illustrates this. Simon judges the woman based on her known sinful lifestyle. Jesus, aware of Simon's thoughts, poses a question about two debtors who are forgiven different amounts and then asks Simon, "Do you see this woman?" The speaker explains that this question wasn't about physical sight, but about truly seeing her as a person beyond the stereotype, someone capable of deep love and gratitude due to the forgiveness she had received.

Another powerful example is found in Mark chapter 10 with the blind man Bartimaeus calling out to Jesus. Despite the crowd's attempts to silence him, Jesus asks, "What do you want me to do for you?" Although the man's need seemed obvious, Jesus' question demonstrated humility and respect, acknowledging that the man might have deeper needs beyond the apparent one. This highlights the importance of asking and listening rather than presuming what others need.

In Luke chapter 10, a teacher of the law asks Jesus, "What must I do to have eternal life?" Instead of a direct answer, Jesus directs him back to the scriptures: "What does the Torah say? How do you interpret what the Torah says?" When the teacher responds correctly about loving God and neighbor, he then seeks to justify himself by asking, "And who is my neighbor?" Jesus responds with the parable of the Good Samaritan, challenging the teacher's limited definition of neighbor and emphasizing that mercy transcends social and cultural boundaries. Jesus concludes by asking, "Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?"

The teaching extends to the concept of loving one's enemies, as presented in Luke's Sermon on the Plain. Jesus poses rhetorical questions about the merit of loving only those who love you or doing good only to those who do good to you, noting that even sinners do that. Instead, he calls for a higher standard: love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting anything in return, reflecting God's own kindness and mercy towards the ungrateful and wicked.

The speaker applies these principles to contemporary issues, such as societal divisions, political polarization, and responses to events like the emergence of new health concerns. The emphasis is on resisting the urge to create "us versus them" mentalities and instead approaching others with humility, grace, and a willingness to understand their humanity. Just as Jesus asked, "Do you see this woman?" or "What do you want me to do for you?", believers are called to ask similar questions, truly seeing and seeking to understand and help those around them, even those with whom they disagree or who are different.

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Application for Everyday Life

• Cultivate Curiosity: Instead of always seeking quick answers, embrace the power of asking questions to gain deeper understanding in conversations and when learning new things.
• Practice Empathetic Inquiry: When interacting with others, especially those with different viewpoints, ask open-ended questions to understand their perspectives and motivations rather than immediately judging or offering solutions.
• Challenge Stereotypes: Recognize your own biases and assumptions, and actively seek to see individuals beyond labels and stereotypes, acknowledging their shared humanity. Ask yourself, "Do I truly see this person?"
• Extend Compassion and Mercy: Reflect on the extent of forgiveness and grace you have received and let that inform how you treat others, even those you might consider your "enemies."
• Respond with Humility: When faced with conflict or opportunities to help, approach others with a servant's heart, asking "What can I do for you?" rather than presuming to know their needs.
• Prioritize Understanding Over Agreement: In discussions and debates, aim to understand the other person's perspective, even if you don't agree with it. This aligns with Jesus' method of encouraging reflection.
• Reflect on Your Motivations: Regularly ask yourself, "What am I truly looking for?" in your pursuits and relationships, ensuring that your focus is aligned with the values of Jesus.

Resources Mentioned

• Jesus is the Question: The 307 Questions Jesus Asked and the Three He Answered by Martin Copenhaver

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