Three Questions that Jesus Asked, How Would You Answer?
Jesus is recorded in the gospel message as asking over 300 questions, some of which are repeats due to overlapping reports from the different authors: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. In this blog, three questions have been selected with the aim to help us be more self-less in a challenging world.
“And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?” (Matthew 6:27)
This is a challenging question as everyone worries about something or someone, whether at work or at home in their lives daily. The World Health Organisation reported last year that the rates of depression and anxiety had increased by 25% and there is more uncertainty about what the future holds. As the passage is based on worrying about food, drink and clothing, which are things that can often be taken for granted in many countries these days. We are told in the passage, to seek first the Kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well as the hope of a time without wars, rumours of wars, famines or pestilences is something to focus on and share.
“Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk’?” (Mark 2:9)
The context for these questions by Jesus was that 4 men had faith that Jesus would be able to heal a paralytic person, whom they had carried. As it was so busy, they were not able to get near to Jesus through the main entrance to the building but they improvised instead and went to the roof, where they lowered the person through an opening. Although rhetorical, if I was the paralytic person, I would not only be hoping for, but I would want a visual sign that was tangible. I would not want to return on the journey back, knowing my sins were forgiven but I would want to feel like they were too. I would put total faith and trust in Jesus that I would be able to be healed. This was done by Jesus, and this would have been a sign to onlookers that would help to preach the message that Jesus can do anything.
“What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self?” (Luke 9:25)
In life, there are challenges that lead to anxiety as mentioned in the answer to question 1, but at what cost does this progression affect the relationships that we have previously built with family, friends and God? It is possible to pass through the challenges of life with core values and principles intact but in a world that everyone is more accessible than ever before with online availability and smart phones, downtime becomes more and more sparse. This includes time that was previously quality time with family, friends and for God. Therefore, setting time aside to ensure these relationships are maintained is key for balanced success and to remain grounded. The Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:1-23) reports the following in verse 22: ‘The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful.’ We need to seek good soil to continue growing the way we ought to be in the best way possible.
In summary, when we are often asked questions, we look inwardly, and answer based on prior knowledge and experience. However, when we look inwardly, we can often increase the magnitude of a situation, that can affect our personal health and wellbeing. Trying to reset our mindsets to one that is of more positive times to come in the future Kingdom age, is something to strive for. To start with, we should begin with the two greatest commandments that Jesus states, which are self-less, help our health and wellbeing as well as being a positive reminder of how fundamental love is. “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’” (Mark 12:30-31)
Article by Matthew M., Photo by Andrea Piacquadio (pexels.com)
