Real Hope: Difficult ConversationsНамуна

I Don’t Know

As believers in Jesus Christ, we are often asked many questions that are difficult for us, or anybody, to answer. In general, we would like to appear informed and knowledgeable without being seemingly smart or smug. But there are some questions we don’t know the answer to, and we could say – ‘I don’t know’.

Over the years, I’ve grown to love the way the Bible records the many ways Jesus engaged with His audience and their questions. One great example of this is the question posed by the Jewish religious leaders when they asked, ‘Tell us, therefore, what do You think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?’ (Matthew 22:17 NKJV). The Bible records that this was an important but trick question to in some way entrap Jesus to say something that would be used against Him.

Jesus’ answer was to answer with a question. He put the question back to them. He simply said – ‘What do you think?’ He eventually directed the conversation from a politically and religiously motivated intent to ask about their personal relationship with God. One of the great truths about our relationship with God is that it’s about ‘self-discovery’. From the earliest time when the ‘all seeing’ God asked, ‘Where are you Adam?’ in the garden of Eden until today when He asks us, ‘Where are you at?’.

Today’s devotion cannot provide all the answers to difficult conversations, but several things might help. Let us always be courteous. Let us always ask more questions in an attempt to uncover the real intent of the question. Let us also ask what others think God is doing and saying about their questions. Let us gently point them to Jesus and the Word of God.

Written by JOHN SCOTT