Matthew 22:46 No one could say a word in reply, and from that day on no one dared to ask him any more questions.
Being constantly asked questions can be a very uncomfortable situation. Most people don’t like being questioned, especially if those questions are personal or about our beliefs. I can’t imagine being a politician. Of course, there are some politicians who seem to never be asked a difficult question.
But leaders of all kinds need to answer questions. Those who feel the effects of their decisions, especially negative effects, deserve answers, at least in our Western culture. Leaders have an accountability to those they serve as leaders.
Jesus is no exception. He was often asked questions by the religious leaders of His day, but they were often not honest questions. They questioned Him in an effort to trip Him up. They used the questions as a ruse, as a coverup for their evil intentions. They wanted Him gone, and the questions seemed to them to be the best way to create the opportunity to do just that.
Unfortunately for them, Jesus was skilled as answering questions. One of His most often used responses was to answer their questions with a question, an example that would show their hypocrisy. This section of Matthew’s account is filled with this type of question and answer dialogue.
But some people never learn! The religious leaders continue to ask questions and they continue to be put on their rear ends. They are like the geeky student who takes on the professional MMA fighter. They don’t stand a chance. Every time they enter the ring of debate they get crushed with Jesus’ answers.
Jesus questions have a way of getting right to the heart of their spiritual condition. But they also have a way getting right to the heart of our spiritual condition. Despite the passage of time, our ability to squirm out on Truth is no match for the reach of the Holy Spirit. Jesus can answer us in a way that drills deep, like fracking for oil, it splits us apart at the deepest level, drawing out our sinfulness and selfishness.
Perhaps we need to learn from them. Our text for today tells their conclusion. They stopped asking questions. Their cessation of questions led to their betrayal and Jesus’ death. When we stop asking questions, we can go a different direction.
Jesus loves honest questions, so ask away. But He knows the difference between honesty and gymnastic gyrations. Honest questions get honest answers. Self-promoting bullfight misdirection is not tolerated. He will cut to our hearts.
The only question that remains is our response. Will we harden to His probings or will we welcome them, painful as they may be? I suggest we welcome His loving corrections. He has nothing but loyal love for us, a love so deep that He went through death for us, to bring us back from our sinfulness and selfishness.
The Arnold Journey 