“To make an apt answer is a joy to a man, and a word in season, how good it is!” (Prov. 15:23 ESV).
How did you do?
Yesterday, Jesus asked five questions. I asked you to pick one or two – or more if you were in the mood to be challenged. Let’s answer those questions today: I’ll add the context in which Jesus asked them (and the Scripture reference).
Q1 - “If you are friendly only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else?” (Matt. 5:46 TLB)
Jesus gives us the answer before he even asks it. “There is a saying, ‘Love your friends and hate your enemies.’ But I say: Love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way you will be acting as true sons of your Father in heaven’” (v. 43–45).
Jesus makes it clear that we are to be different from others in this world – and that difference is to be noticeable to others, and especially to the Father (“acting as true sons of your father” [v . 45]).
Q2 - “Which is easier to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’?” (Mark 2:9 NIV)
Jesus is answering a question the religious leaders were thinking about. “Jesus could read their minds” (Mark 2:8 TLB). It wasn’t often that Jesus gave a “sign” when requested, but the sign He gave was for us all. Jesus gave proof that He was the Son of God.
Today, many people continually ask for clear signs of both God’s existence and proof that Jesus was/is God. He’s given more than enough proof for each individual to make up their mind.
Q3 - “Why were you searching for me?” (Luke 2:49 NIV)
Jesus’ parents lost Him and were no doubt anxious about His whereabouts. They went back to the city and found Him – which took about three days. They were obviously upset when they found Him, but His response was insightful. “Didn’t you realize that I would be here at the Temple, in my Father’s House?” (Luke 2:49 TLB). Jesus was about his father’s business: glorifying his name (John 12:28); carrying out His will (Luke 22:42); teaching the Father’s love (John 16:27); proclaiming the Father’s words (John 17:8); and revealing the Father’s character (John 1:14–18).
What a blessing that we don’t need to search for days in order to find Jesus. He is still about His Father’s business, knocking on our doors, asking to be let in.
Q4 - “What do you want?” (John 1:38 NIV)
He asked this of two of John’s disciples. What they wanted was to get to know Jesus more.
What would our answer be? Would it be peace on earth? (Sadly, because of our sin, this cannot be achieved until Christ’s return). Would it be the eradication of poverty? (But Jesus tells us we will always have the poor among us in Matthew 26, verse 11). Would our answer simply be, “I want to know Jesus more”?
Q5 - “What shall we eat?” (Matt 6:31 NIV)
This comes in a series of questions. What shall we eat, drink, or wear? Jesus tells us to “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (v. 33).
I’m thankful that when I ask, “What shall we eat?” I have multiple options. God takes care of me in a way that can only result in thankfulness.
Bonus question: Why doesn’t God provide enough food for all?
Answer: He does. There is enough food to feed the world 1.5 times over (sadly, 30–40% of all food is wasted). Read about it here.
“If you are generous with the hungry and start giving yourselves to the down-and-out, Your lives will begin to glow in the darkness, your shadowed lives will be bathed in sunlight” (Isa. 58:10 MSG).