If Jesus were to visit us right here tonight, what would you ask Him if you had the chance? I went through the Bible and tried to find out the kind of questions that people asked Jesus when He was here, living on earth. Most of the questions were pretty dumb.
John 19: 8 When Pilate heard this, he was terrified. 9 He went back inside and asked Jesus, “Where are you from?”
Then a little later, Pilate asks: John 18:38 “What is truth?”
And in Mark 15: 2 He asked Jesus, “Are you the king of the Jews?”
All of these questions were centered around the crucifixion of Christ and were meant to show that He was a rebel and caused nothing but trouble.
But there are more people who asked Jesus questions. There was Peter in John 21 21 When Peter saw that disciple, he asked Jesus, “Lord, what about him?” This was almost an accusing question towards Jesus. Peter was talking about the disciple who Jesus loved best. Peter felt left out and was jealous. Then again in Luke 12, we see Peter trying to make something clear. 41 Peter asked Jesus, “Did you say this just for us or for everyone?” And in Mark 13: 3 Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked Him privately, 4 “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign when all these things will be fulfilled?”
Peter often asked the tough questions and was always quick to make Jesus explain things.
There were others that questioned Jesus. In Matthew 9: 14 One day some followers of John the Baptist came and asked Jesus, “Why do we and the Pharisees often go without eating, while your disciples never do?” And in Matthew 17: 10 The disciples asked Jesus, “Don’t the teachers of the Law of Moses say that Elijah must come before the Messiah does?” Matthew 15: They asked Jesus, 2 “Why don’t your disciples obey what our ancestors taught us to do? They don’t even wash their hands before they eat.” (The Jewish people had strict laws about washing their hands before eating, especially if they had been out in public.)
Then in John 8, there is an unusual question of Jesus: 48 They asked Jesus, “Were we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan and have a demon in you?” In John 2: 18 The Jewish leaders asked Jesus, “What miracle will you work to show us why you have done this?”
Most of these questions were more like accusations than real question. But, there are some deeper questions. In Luke 17: 20 Some Pharisees asked Jesus when God’s kingdom would come. And in Luke 10: 25 An expert in the Law of Moses stood up and asked Jesus a question to see what he would say. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to have eternal life?” Mark 11: 28 And they said to Him, “By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority to do these things?” Matthew 11: 2 John was in prison when he heard what Christ was doing. So John sent some of his followers 3 to ask Jesus, “Are you the one we should be looking for? Or must we wait for someone else?”
Then there were those that asked favors. Matthew 20:21 She said to Him, “Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on the left, in Your kingdom.” And throughout the New Testament, there are many, many requests for healing.
All this made me wonder what we would ask Jesus if He were here, sitting with us tonight. I thought of a couple of questions that I would like to ask. I would say: “Look, I have done everything you asked, I have given up everything to follow you and to preach and teach your word. So, why don’t I have a church yet?” And I can guess at the answer. It would be either, “You are not ready yet” or “I have something else planned for you.”
And then I thought about what I would say to Jesus if he were sitting here with me. Keely and I talked about this three or four different times. Her answer was always the same. She said she would be so much in awe that she wouldn’t be able to ask or say anything. I think I would just say thanks. Thanks for making my life so much more peaceful now than it was before. I’ve had my times of trouble and was often filled with anger and disappointment, but you have given me an amazing amount of peace and understanding now. I would say how much I love the times when I hear your whisper in my ear and feel your guidance.
- - Walkin’ In
Then I would just have to say how much I love the times when I am open and feel your presence.
- - I Love Your Presence.
Then I began to think about questions I have heard other people ask. Things like: “How could Jesus let this happen to me?” and “Why did God let this child die?” and “Why didn’t God stop 9-11?” and “Why can’t I be rich and famous?” And “Where was Jesus when I needed him most?” “Should I quit my job and get another one?” And there would be the list of requests for healing just like there were when Christ was here before.
What questions would you ask Jesus or what would you say to him tonight if he were sitting right here with you now?
There’s a whole bunch of questions we ask that are actually blaming God for what is happening here on earth. And I can imagine God asking us a question. Many times it would be: “Why did you wait until something bad happened to finally ask me for help, when it was too late?” That’s what happens most of the time. We don’t make Jesus the center of our lives until something bad happens, then we want to bring him front and center so we can blame him for what happened. We need to make him our center before trouble comes, before it is too late.
- - Be the Center
You see, Christ is the great healer, but we must give him a chance. He can heal our soul, but we must allow him and invite him into our hearts so that he can do the work he promised us he would do. No one else can heal the soul, just the Lord.
Please leave here this evening, knowing that Jesus wants to be by your side every minute to answer your questions and hold a conversation with you and guide you in everything you do. He is ready and willing. Are you?
- - Healer of my soul.
