Sunday Sermons
Answering Questions Like Jesus
The Bible places upon the Christian the obligation and expectation of being ready to answer questions presented to us concerning our faith (1 Peter 3:15). In this lesson we want to sit at the feet of the Master Teacher and see how Jesus responded to various questions. Let us remember that we need to be living in such a manner that people will actually ask us questions, we also need to be open to such questions. “He wanted men to see for themselves; so He not only welcomed but He invited questions. ‘Socrates asked questions which his disciples tried to answer; Jesus provoked His disciples to ask questions which He answered’ (James Stalker, Imago Christi, p. 270). (Jesus the Master Respondent, Bales, pp. 3-4).
“By what Authority?” Matthew 21:23-27
This is the fundamental question in religion. “By what authority does one speak?” “Is the message from God or of human origin?” “The question of authority is fundamental, for unless it is settled, no other questions in religion can be settled. Unless Christ speaks with authority, there is no reason for us to accept His teaching concerning God, man, or salvation. If you see that your discussion of a religious difference is getting nowhere, it may be that it is because you are appealing to one authority and they are appealing to another. In such a case it will be necessary to settle the question of authority before these other questions can be settled. If you are proving something by the Bible, and they are proving their position by their feelings, you will get nowhere until the basic difference of authority is settled” (Bales pp. 5-6).
“Some critics of the Bible have complained that Jesus did not deal fairly with His questioners. Instead of coming out like a man and answering their question, He asked them a question” (p. 6). In response to this false charge, the person who asks a question is asking a favor. “He who asks a favor should be willing to do a favor, or else he shows his own unfairness” (p. 6). Secondly, they did not have any right to complain about His question, because they had started the entire conversation with a question of their own. “The answer to your question may contain the answer to their question. He is more apt to see and accept the answer when he is led to answer it himself, and furthermore he has answered it himself, so he cannot get angry with you because the answer is what it is” (p. 7). Jesus’ method of answering a question with a question also calls upon the other person to take a position. Too often the person asking all the questions is simply trying to trip someone up, such a person needs to be forced to take their own position and defend it. The following are some examples of this technique in action:
· Some argue that nothing can be proved. Question: “Can you prove it?”
· Some argue that there are no absolutes. Question: “Are they absolutely sure?”
· Some say there is no moral law therefore we ought to be tolerant. Question: “If there is no moral law why are we morally obligated to be tolerant?”
· Some say they are skeptical. Question: “Are they skeptical of their skepticism?”
· Some claim they are neutral. Question: “Are they neutral about their neutralism?”
· Some argue that we should not judge or try to change people. Question: “Are you presently trying to change me?”
“There are some people who will debate with you that it does not do any good to debate, or argue with you that it does not do any good to argue, or teach you that it does not do any good to teach, or preach to you that it does not do any good to preach. Sometimes people insist that you answer a question with a yes or no. In order to show them that this is not always fair, that some questions may take a bit of explanation, one can ask them: ‘Have you quit beating your wife?’” (pp. 11,12).
“Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?” Matthew 12:10-12
Notice how Jesus in this case appealed to their own conduct that they already endorsed extending a helping hand on the Sabbath Day, even to an animal. They really could not condemn Jesus’ actions without condemning their own. In fact, they actually would have brought far greater condemnation on themselves, since they were willing to help an animal but were unwilling to help someone created in the image of God. For example, if someone comes up to you and says, “Hey, you need to stop judging people”, remind them of their own practice. They are not only judging you, they are in fact being far more harsh, critical and judgmental, because they are condemning you for doing the right thing. In addition, notice that in this section Jesus used the “how much more” type of argument (12:12). If they are critical of you when you are doing the right thing, how much more do you need to speak out when people are sinning! (Ephesians 5:11; Luke 17:3) If they are offended when you speak the truth, how much more do you need to be offended when they say something completely false!
“In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife will she be?” Matthew 22:28-32
The world often thinks that it has found the “unanswerable” question for the Christian, but typically such questions are based on faulty assumptions. Jesus quickly pointed out that their entire argument was based upon an assumption (22:30). Thus, before you try to answer a question, make sure that the question itself is true. Unbelievers may not like this, but at times you need to correct their question or reword it before you can begin to answer. “Some believers have been puzzled by the question: ‘If God made the world, who made God?’ The question assumes that God was created, which is false. The same thing is true concerning the question: ‘Where did God come from?’ God did not come from anywhere. He has always been. People may not like this answer, but the atheist or materialist is confronted with the same question concerning matter. If matter is the eternal reality, one would not ask: ‘Where did matter come from? It did not come from anywhere, it just always was”.
“What shall I do to inherit eternal life?” Luke 10:25-28
At times people will ask us questions to see how well informed we are, if they can embarrass or discredit us in the face of others, or simply outwit us. Yet Jesus answered people’s questions even when the motivation was far less than sincere(10:29). In this section we learn that Jesus often insisted that people answer their own questions. They would ask a question and He would point them to God’s word, “What is written in the Law? How does it read to you?” (10:26). Bales notes, “if the individual is a carping critic, he is not as apt to try to pick the answer to pieces, if he answers it himself” (p. 56). Ultimately we want the questioner face to face to God’s truth, and the real discussion to be between this person and the Word of God. If you can get somewhere matching wits with Scripture, then there is a good chance that they can be reached (Acts 17:11; Hebrews 4:12-13; Romans 10:17). In addition, Jesus required that the person asking the question put some of their own effort into finding the answer. We need to do the same, that is, there are times when someone asks us a question that we need to hand them a Bible and a concordance and say, “Look it up, you find the answer this time”. The reason I say this is because if we do all the homework, then the unbeliever is not learning anything for themselves. For example, if someone says that the Bible does not condemn homosexuality, then tell them to prove it. That is, have them print out all the verses that deal with homosexuality. There are many times when we need to be the one asking for a verse. “Often we may find it very effective, when asked a question about the Bible from someone whom we know to be a student of the Bible and thus familiar with many things there, to ask them: ‘What does the Bible say? What do you think it says, and on what passages do you base your conclusion?’ At times we may find that the individual knows the answer but he wants us to help him get around what the Bible teaches” (p. 57). Notice that Jesus required that the questioner come up with his own answer, Jesus did not allow the person asking the question to assume of false position of neutrality or the attitude that “I am just an unbiased observer”.
“Who is my neighbor?” Luke 10:29-37
“Let us first observe that Jesus avoided being involved in fruitless discussions of a theoretical nature, which were simply for the purpose of showing skill in discussion. He met the test to which He was being subjected with replies which led the questioner to answer his own questions in a way which left no room for idle arguments” (p. 61). Instead of going into a long drawn out discussion on “who is my neighbor?” Jesus focused on the real issue. “Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor?” (10:36). This man was asking, “To whom should I be kind?” And the real issue was, “Am I kind? Am I courteous? I am helpful?” At times people want to speculate about whether everyone can see the truth alike, without realizing that they can see what the Bible says! Instead of focusing in on all the different religions or interpretations in the world, what is this verse saying? Instead of wondering if others can see it, or if everyone is given a chance to see it, are you seeing it right now? 10:37 “Go and do the same”: Jesus did not allow a person to remain philosophical about something. If you ask a question, then it is only fair for someone to expect you to act upon the answer. Simply getting the right answer means nothing if we are unwilling to obey the truth once we learn it.
“Which is the great commandment?” Matthew 22:36-40
Notice that without the first commandment to love God, the second commandment has no force and neither does it make any sense. McGarvey noted, “As the hook supports all, so to keep these two commandments is to do all that is required by the Scriptures. He who loves God as required will keep all of God’s commandments, and he who loves his neighbor will fulfill every obligation to his neighbor. The lawyer went away with the idea not that one specific commandment of God is more important than another, but that the great thing is to have a heart for doing all that God commands” (Matthew/Mark p. 193). When Jesus answered a question He gave a very concise and simple answer in just a few words. He also left no room for escape. For example, one command is not more important than another, and one cannot love God and hate your brother, or one cannot love God with absolute total commitment. I am simply impressed that Jesus never gave an answer that a selfish person would like, regardless of that person’s position. Only people who are willing to live honest lives before God will accept His conclusions. “The Scriptures are not concerned with satisfying our curiosity, and encouraging speculation, but in practical matters” (p. 70).
“Lord, are there just a few who are being saved?” Luke 13:23
A common problem among men is to focus upon what others are doing or not doing and to forget about your own salvation. Jesus stressed, make sure that you are saved before worrying about everyone else (13:24).
