If Jesus is the answer, what was the question?

Too often in life we answer before we really listen and hear what the other person is asking.  One night at the table, a little boy asked; “Mommy and Daddy what is ‘sex’?” Astonished by his question, the parents grasped at the air to find a answer to the question that they thought that wouldn’t have to answer for several years. Mustering up all the strength they could, they sat the little boy down and spent the next several minutes vaguely explaining where babies come from. 

When they were finished, they asked the little boy if he had any questions, hoping of course that he had none. The little boy said; “I’m not sure what the two of you were trying to explain to me. I asked what sex was because I needed to know if I was an “F” or an “M” so that I could check the correct box for school.”

Too often in life we answer before we really listen and hear what the other person is asking. Let me ask you a question; when someone is going through a struggle, do you really hear what the question is that they are asking? Or are you so quick to give them a “religious answer” that you really don’t listen to what they are really trying to communicate?

In our effort to give something to ‘stop-the-bleeding’, we lose potential ground to really share what we do know. I think that John Maxwell said it best; “People do not care how much you know until they know how much you care.”

If Jesus Is the ANSWER, what was the question that they were asking? We can wear the latest WWJD bracelets and still never take time to actually ask, “What would Jesus do?” BEFORE we give an answer to someone’s question.

I love the following story from the Bible because in it I see Jesus taking the time to stop and perhaps listen to His Heavenly Father as to how He was to answer a moral question from some religious leaders. They had the Law; but what would be the answer that Jesus’ Father would have Him say?

 ^“Now early in the morning He (Jesus) came again into the temple, and all the people came to Him; and He sat down and taught them. ³ Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, ⁴ they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. ⁵ Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?” ⁶ This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear.⁷ So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” ⁸ And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. ⁹ Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. ¹⁰ When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?” ¹¹ She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.” (John 8:2-11)

Jesus only did and said what Father would say or do. And so, He waited until He heard clearly what to do.  

Another time when the religious leaders challenge Jesus the Bible tells us;  “Then Jesus answered and said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner.” (John 5:19)

If Jesus Is the ANSWER, what was the question that they were asking?  

I want to be like Jesus; learning to wait and listen when someone is going through a struggle; really hear what the question is that they are asking before I give them some quick answer. How about you?

It will mean giving God your heart, giving up your dreams, giving up your pride and laying down your rights - laying it all down, for the sake of Him and His ways; His answers. It will (once again) mean surrender so that we can truly have the answers to the questions posed to us.

Do you know this Jesus? Call 1-888-NEED HIM. Someone is waiting to talk with you right now.

"Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved."