Being questioned by Jesus?!

Reflecting on Mark 11:27-33

"Jesus replied, 'I will ask you one question...'" (Mark 11:29)

The religious leaders are interrogating Him.
But Jesus answers their question with a question.
They are challenging Him, but now He challenges them.

I have had this experience many times.
In my journal praying, I often write down questions.
I ask about this situation, or that problem, or this confusion.
Sometimes possible answers come to mind, which I write down.
More often other questions come to mind, questioning my questions.

I’ve come to see this interaction as spiritual dialogue.
And I’ve come to depend on it for helping me see better.
Asking questions of my own ideas, motives or feelings is helpful.
Through this I see how my questions themselves are biased.
I have my own agenda and perspective that shapes my thinking.

The religious leaders do not want to be questioned.
They fear where the answers might lead, and how they might affect them.
They’re mostly concerned about themselves, and not about the truth.
This is the wisdom of Jesus’s response.
He reveals the truth of their own hearts, just by His question.

Asking questions is good and necessary, for several reasons.
First of all, there’s still so much we do not know.
Asking questions is the way that we reel back the layers of an onion.
When I follow where the questions lead in my journal, I see new things.
Second, God created us to explore, discover, name and create.
‘Naming the animals’ is just the beginning for Adam, and us.
By asking questions, we’ve named photosynthesis and medical cures.
‘Scientia’ (Latin root for science) means knowledge, awareness, understanding.
Science explores and tests hypotheses, asking questions.
Third, questions expose problems and hidden concerns.
When we dig a little deeper, we see things we were blind to before.
This is especially important for self-discovery and self-improvement.

The religious leaders were not seeking truth humbly or sincerely.
They were not interacting with Jesus in open, loving dialogue.
They were challenging Jesus: who do you think you are to do these things?
They had already judged Jesus, they were now accusing Him.
When we pre-judge (which is what prejudice means), we are blind to the truth.
When we lock down our current views, we remain unaware of our blind spots.

Do not be afraid to honestly share your questions with Jesus.
But beware of assuming you know everything, and Jesus owes us the answers.
Go in with the openness that you might be wrong in your thinking.
That your own perspectives are biased, distorted or limited.
Beware of acting like the judge, and making God defend Himself to you.
Ask with the humble desire to consider all possibilities.
A teachable heart will learn as it wrestles with the Spirit over the questions.

People today seem so confident in their opinions.
They spew out political and religious opinions with the certainty of God.
They question (attack) with the confidence of a judge that knows everything.
Everyone wants to question others, no one wants their opinions questioned.
In this climate, it is hard to know how to engage people in conversation.

“Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be just like him. Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes.” (Proverbs 26:4-5)

Jesus masterfully follows this wise saying of Solomon.
He doesn’t answer them in their folly.
Yet He does answer them to reveal their folly.
I have not refined this skill yet, so I find myself not answering.
I will wrestle with other opinions in my journal with Jesus.
But I cannot engage the people themselves, for they are not listening.
They already know the truth, they just want you to agree with them.
I should quickly add, I am also guilty of this.
Which is why I need time with Jesus to let Him ask me questions too.
We all do.

Jesus is challenging us with His own questions.
Will we allow Him to teach us through His own questions?
Or will we, like the religious leaders, refuse to be questioned.
Will we cling to our ‘house of cards’ opinions and theologies?
Or will we let Jesus deconstruct and reconstruct our hearts and minds?
I choose to let Jesus question me!

PRAYER
Lord Jesus, my theological and ethical views and opinions need to be challenged. And even when I change them in response, I have still not arrived at the truth. Humble me to hold my views and opinions lightly. Grace me to wrestle and question with a hopeful, teachable heart. Keep on questioning me Jesus, I need it!