Jesus asked questions frequently, and they were always provocative, loaded with spiritual intensity. in their book, Connecting Like Jesus, Tony Campolo and Mary Albert Darling suggest that pondering the questions of Jesus can be a powerful tool for spiritual awakening.
I'll admit that I was skeptical when I first heard of this technique. I'm a type-A personality, and I usually bring that achievement orientation to my spiritual practices. That's one of the reasons I thrive on Bible reading—you can check off the chapters every day!
“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.”What sounded like an obvious question suddenly seemed much more profound. It became an occasion to ponder my own motives for seeking Jesus and asking if I truly do want to perceive reality clearly—especially the real truth about myself. For most of the day that question slipped in and out of my consciousness. "What do I really want from Jesus?"
Here are some of the questions Jesus asked during his ministry. Why not choose one and try this discipline. Simply ponder the question for awhile, force other thoughts out of your mind, and see if the Holy Spirit will reveal something to you.
- Why are you terrified? (Matt 8:26)
- Do you believe I can do this? (Matt 9:28)
- Who is my mother? Who are my brothers? (Matt 12:48)
- Why did you doubt? (Matt 14:31)
- But who do you say that I am? (Matt 16:15)
- Why do you ask me about what is good? (Matt 19:16)
- Can you drink the cup that I am going to drink? (Matt 20:22)
- What do you want me to do for you? (Matt 20:32)
- Why are you thinking such things in your heart? (Mark 2:8)
- Why does this generation seek a sign? (Mark 8:12)
- Why were you looking for me? (Luke 2:49)
- Where is your faith? (Luke 8:25)
Which of Jesus' questions speaks to you?
