WHASSAT?

Matthew 16:13-17
13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?" 14 They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets." 15 "But what about you?" He asked. "Who do you say I am?" 16 Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 17 Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by My Father in heaven."

My nearly-2-year-old niece Molly and her mama took an airplane to Michigan to visit Gugay and Papa (Grandma and Grandpa). It was a big adventure for such a little girl. "Whassat?" "Whassat?" she asked at every noise the plane made, every movement, and every person squeezing down the aisle. The thing is, Molly didn't seem to care what the answer was to each "Whassat?" She just liked asking lots of questions.

Jesus too asked a whole bunch of questions--but unlike Molly, He was supremely interested in the answers, and the people who gave them.

* "Why are you so afraid?" (Matthew 8:26).
* "Who do you say I am?" (Matthew 16:15).
* "Why do you call Me good?" (Mark 10:18).
* "What do you want Me to do for you?" (Mark 10:51).
* "Can a blind man lead a blind man?" (Luke 6:39).
* "Do you want to get well?" (John 5:6).
* "Do you love Me?" (John 21:17).

People came to Jesus wanting and expecting answers. They wanted healing. They wanted a revolution. They wanted Him
to prove them right. They wanted to catch Him in a contradiction. But many times He threw them off balance by lobbing a question right back at them. Jesus was more interested in helping people explore their hearts and motives than in simply filling their minds with facts. It must have really bugged people when Jesus wouldn't give them a straight answer. But Jesus knew what people really needed--and a lot of times it wasn't what they were asking for.

The next time you have a "Whassat?" for Jesus, be ready for Him to answer with another question. Then search your heart for what you really want (and need) from Him. --Tracy Carbaugh

DESTINATION POINTS

* Why did Jesus so often respond to people with a question?
* Do Ireally care about finding out what God has to say? Or do I pray just because I'm supposed to?
* How honest am I with God about my desires and motives?

LINKS:
Learn more about how to think like Jesus. Read The Mind Of Christ.
http://www.discoveryseries.org/q0209

bottom line: Jesus' answers are often questions.

soul journey