I've Got Questions

Jesus asked 307 questions throughout Scripture. I love questions because they help us learn and stretch our thinking.

As I examine the questions Jesus asked, I see three that stand out to help us better understand ourselves. Why are you afraid? Who do you say I am? What do you want me to do for you?

He said to His disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” (Mark 4:40) I’m sure you are familiar with this moment in Scripture when Jesus was taking a nap on the boat and the disciples woke Him up because a strong storm made the waters rough. When situations in our life become unstable, we too often reach for fear and let go of faith. I remember being in Haiti during the earthquake and uncertainty was at a level I had never experienced. We had reasons to be afraid. However, I’ll never forget driving down the three-mile dirt road to relocate our mission team to spend the night at the high school campus. As we drove past the villages, we heard Haitians singing out loud and praying! Don’t let fear steal away your faith and fade away your trust. Jesus does not want us to be led by fear but to hold on to faith, daily.

“ʻBut what about you?ʼ He asked. ʻWho do you say I am?ʼ Peter answered, ʻYou are the Messiah.ʼ” (Mark 8:29) What is your name? When I lived in Haiti, the phrase used when you meet someone new is: “Ki-ja ou rele?” When you meet someone new you ask them: What is your name? However, the actual translation of “Ki-ja ou rele?” is: How are you called? Think about it this way: What is your name? It’s however people know you: as a friend, father, mother, grand-dad, grandmother, papa, nona...you get the idea. Who do you say Jesus is? Jesus wants to be known well—not just well known. As we know Jesus well, we begin to call him Savior, Lord, Messiah…Teacher.

“ʻWhat do you want me to do for you?ʼ Jesus asked him. The blind man said, ʻRabbi, I want to see.ʼ” (Mark 10:51) This moment in history with Jesus fascinates me because of His response after the blind man made his request. Then in verse 52: “ʻGoʼ Jesus said. ʻYour faith has healed you.’ Immediately, he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.” Why was he healed immediately? Because of his complete faith in Jesus.

I grew up in the home of a pastor. At the age of nine while attending summer camp, I made a personal decision to make Jesus lord of my life. Then, I was asked to follow in believer’s baptism and experienced the honor of having my father baptize me. Our faith and trust in Jesus changes everything.

What does following Jesus do in our lives? Jesus gives us vision and clarity as to why we are alive. Jesus gives us purpose to love Him and serve others. We are not our own. By faith we follow, and because of knowing Jesus well, we surrender to His purpose in our lives.

What about you? Who do you say Jesus is? Do you have fear? What do you want Jesus to do for you? These questions lead us into a deeper relationship with Jesus, as we give Him our lives, our trust, and our identity. ~Tim DeTellis