What is the real question?
by Roger Pook
The Pharisees who asked Jesus the question about paying taxes to Caesar did not actually want to know the answer. In fact they really wanted to know the answer to a completely different question: “Is there any legal way that we can have You killed?”
It’s the same with many questions that are asked about our faith – the sort of questions that people love to bring up in discussion groups. “Is it right to tell a lie in order to save a life?” really means “Can I tell a lie and get away with it?” Another example: “How can I believe in a loving God if he allows disasters and suffering in the world?” usually means “Can I have a good excuse for not believing in God?”
However there was another question that was totally genuine, and Jesus knew that it was genuine, even though it wasn’t really a question. It was just somebody groping for understanding and not even knowing how to ask. Nicodemus said ‘Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God; for no man can do these miracles which you do unless God is with him’(John 3:2). Jesus knew the unspoken question: “How can I enter the Kingdom of God?” and was able to reveal some wonderful truths.
So don’t worry if you don’t even know the right question, let alone the answer. Jesus knows your heart and knows if you are sincerely seeking Him. All you have to do is call out to Him.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, sometimes I don’t even know what to ask You. Everything I try to say sounds artificial or selfish. Please tell me what I need to hear from You, and help me to understand what You say. Amen.
Roger Pook For 21 years Roger Pook and his wife Christine served in Central and Eastern Europe, based in Hungary at the Úr Rétje centre of Ellel Ministries. From there they travelled and ministered across the length and breadth of the former communist world. In 2018 Roger retired as Regional Director and they now live back in the UK, where Roger still serves on the Executive Leadership and as a trustee of The Christian Trust. They still travel for the Kingdom!
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