Mary treasured all these words, and pondered them in her heart. -Luke 2:19
Through His written revelation the God of the Universe has deigned to reveal Himself to us. And since we are each made in the image of God, we can learn a lot about ourselves. Read it. Meditate on it. Ponder it in your heart. If you don’t know where to start, begin with the Gospel of John, just a few verses a day. Or start with the passages below. You will notice that there are hundreds of questions in scripture, each in their own way fascinating for their depth and timelessness. Not every question is answered clearly. Some are not answered at all, and yet the answer is often there nonetheless. In Luke 20:23-25, Jesus is asked if it is lawful to pay taxes. Jesus answers the question with another question: “Whose image does [the Roman coin used to pay taxes] bear?” When the men intent on trapping him said, “Caesar’s,” Jesus replied, “Then repay to Caesar what belongs Caesar, and to God what belongs to God.” Those trying to trick him grew silent. I have heard Christian author and apologist Ravi Zacharias expand on this by saying the obvious follow-up question therefore remained unasked: “What belongs to God?” To which Ravi imagines Jesus would have replied, “Whose image is on you?” Here then, is a sample of ten powerful questions asked in the Bible.
“Did God really say…?” (Genesis 3:1)
The serpent asks this of Eve, and sows the first seed of doubt into humanity. It is the very first question asked in the Bible, and one that has echoed throughout history and into today. Many self-styled gurus are whispering in our ear. In whose word will we trust?
“Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Genesis 4:9)
Cain asks this of God. We were created for relationship, with God and with each other. If we love God, it necessarily follows that we must love our neighbor.
“Will not the Judge of the whole earth do right?” (Genesis 18:25)
Abraham asks this of God. Our perfect God requires justice but in His grace grants us His mercy.
“If a man dies, shall he live again?” (Job 14:14)
Job asks this of God. If there is no resurrection of the dead, what is the point of undeserved suffering in this life? “For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile…But Christ is risen!” -1 Corinthians 15:16-17,20
“Who is the god who will deliver you out of my hands?” (Daniel 3:15)
Pagan King Nebuchadnezzar asks this of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, whom he threatens to throw into the fiery furnace unless they bow down to him. They reply, “Our God is able to deliver us, but even if not, we will not serve your gods.”
“Who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15)
Jesus asks this of His disciples. Simon Peter answers “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.”
“What is truth?” (John 18:38)
Pontius Pilate, an unbelieving pagan, asks this rhetorically of the Creator of the world, then turns and leaves before Jesus can answer. This is another vital question that echoes in today’s climate of moral relativism. Where do we find our truth source? Is it in God’s Word, or somewhere else?
“What shall I do with this Jesus?” (Matthew 27:22)
Pilate asks this of the crowd, who were being incited by the Jewish leadership to have Jesus crucified. It is a question we must ask ourselves. We can either choose to reject Him, to neglect Him (which is practical atheism), or to accept Him fully by repenting, believing, and following His commandments.
“What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?” (Mark 8:36)
Jesus prepares his disciples for the difficulties of discipleship in opposition to the comforts of this world.
“What must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:30)
The Philippian jailer asks this of Paul and Silas, who tell him to believe in Jesus. He and his family are baptized that very night. See also Luke 18:18 and Acts 2:37.
Some other examples include “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great a salvation?” (Hebrews 2:3) “And who is my neighbor?” (Luke 10:29) Why do you look for the living among the dead?” (Luke 24:5)“If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31). Can you find more? Which would you add to this list?
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