Asking the Wrong Questions

Many times in scripture people ask Jesus direct questions, and he doesn’t exactly answer them. Instead he answers a question they didn’t ask or even seems to change the subject entirely. Often times whomever he is speaking with becomes very confused.

For example, in John Chapter 3 Jesus speaks with a “teacher of Israel” named Nicodemus. Jesus talks of the necessity of being “born again.” Nicodemus takes him literally, asking questions about reentering the womb and expressing his general confusion.  This general pattern (of question, sort of answer, and confusion) happens over and over again between Jesus and people of Scripture.

I can relate to Nicodemus because he was so literal and because he was focused on understanding with his mind. I don’t think Nicodemus’ response was that absurd; his question is probably something I would have asked. 

So, what’s the point? Why does Jesus not answer their questions? Why does he not answer my questions?

Often Jesus doesn’t directly answer because he is asked the wrong questions. Instead of answering nitpicky questions about the law, he calls people to a higher standard with greater depth of meaning. Through his responses, he is trying to pull people upwards to recognize a different perspective, a different spiritual reality, and a different way of life. Nicodemus, for example, understood the law, but he did not understand some of the spiritual principles the law was trying to convey. (I don’t mean to be hard on him; he was living in pre-ascension times and had his own battles of faith.)

Snapshot of Prince of Peace by Akiane

Just like others in scripture, I sometimes get so caught up with my questions that I can’t see the spiritual truth (Jesus) sitting right in front of me. Instead Christ wants to show me something much deeper. He wants to teach me things that my own brain or sense of logic never could have reasoned. May we let God “renew our minds” (Rom 12:2) for “God is greater than man” (Job 33:12) and his thoughts are not our thoughts (Isa 58:8).  

"Love of a Jealous Kind"

I am currently in an inter-generational women’s Bible study reading through the book of John. It has been a blessing to be around such a diverse group of godly women. At one meeting we were discussing the verse, “Zeal for your house has eaten me up” (2:17). Although we talked about several interpretations of this verse, I’d like to think about one in particular. 

Often times in scripture people are referred to as temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 3:16). Taken this way, Jesus is saying that he is zealous for us, his temple or his house. Moreover, he is consumed with zeal for humanity. Jesus has “unflagging enthusiasm” for us! Jesus, the Son of Man (Dan 7:13-14), the Word of God (Rev 19:13), and the Lamb of God (John 1:29), not only cares about me, but passionately pursues me. How radical is that? 

This verse was some of the inspiration behind the song “Jealous Kind” by Jars of Clay. The song definitely more eloquently and beautifully describes this aspect of Christ’s love for us.