The Right Question
The Right Question!
I was listening to the Gospel of Mark on my walk with Max and was struck by a question asked of Jesus during His trial before the High Priest. In Mark 14:61, the high priest asks Jesus, "Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?" And Jesus responds, "I am! And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven."
I know we have all heard this section of Scripture a hundred times, so what struck me during my walk? They finally asked the right question! They have spent the better part of a year trying to trip Jesus up in His teachings. They have questioned and accused Him of some of the most ridiculous things. Finally the right question is asked, but with the wrong heart. They are looking for an affirmative answer so they can accuse Him of blasphemy and have him crucified. So, as I listened to this section during my walk I think there must be sadness in Jesus' answer. He must be saying to Himself, "They finally ask the right question and I am going to answer them very clearly, and yet they will still not believe. What a sad day for the religious leaders of Jesus' day.
All of this is making me think about the questions I am posing to the Lord. I wonder if I am bringing my own preconceived notions and expectations into the questions. I wonder if all of that might blur the answers He is giving me. How important it is that we surrender to His authority. We need to be dependent upon His Word. We need to be quiet and still long enough to hear and listen to His response. We need to ponder and mediate upon His answers. We must ask to see the answers from His perspective and not our own.
I know you've heard the statement that there is no dumb question. I agree! But how dumb is it to ask the right question and refuse to accept the truthful answer. I pray that we all open our hearts to the stirring of the Holy Spirit. I pray that we open our ears and hearts to clearly hear God as He answers our questions. I pray we never make the same mistake the religious leaders of Jesus' day made.
Peace!
Tom
I was listening to the Gospel of Mark on my walk with Max and was struck by a question asked of Jesus during His trial before the High Priest. In Mark 14:61, the high priest asks Jesus, "Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?" And Jesus responds, "I am! And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven."
I know we have all heard this section of Scripture a hundred times, so what struck me during my walk? They finally asked the right question! They have spent the better part of a year trying to trip Jesus up in His teachings. They have questioned and accused Him of some of the most ridiculous things. Finally the right question is asked, but with the wrong heart. They are looking for an affirmative answer so they can accuse Him of blasphemy and have him crucified. So, as I listened to this section during my walk I think there must be sadness in Jesus' answer. He must be saying to Himself, "They finally ask the right question and I am going to answer them very clearly, and yet they will still not believe. What a sad day for the religious leaders of Jesus' day.
All of this is making me think about the questions I am posing to the Lord. I wonder if I am bringing my own preconceived notions and expectations into the questions. I wonder if all of that might blur the answers He is giving me. How important it is that we surrender to His authority. We need to be dependent upon His Word. We need to be quiet and still long enough to hear and listen to His response. We need to ponder and mediate upon His answers. We must ask to see the answers from His perspective and not our own.
I know you've heard the statement that there is no dumb question. I agree! But how dumb is it to ask the right question and refuse to accept the truthful answer. I pray that we all open our hearts to the stirring of the Holy Spirit. I pray that we open our ears and hearts to clearly hear God as He answers our questions. I pray we never make the same mistake the religious leaders of Jesus' day made.
Peace!
Tom
