‭‭Luke‬ ‭6‬:‭39‬
He also told them this parable: “Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into a pit?”

‭‭John‬ ‭4‬:‭7‬
When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?”

‭‭John‬ ‭8‬:‭10‬
Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”

Have you ever been around someone who seemingly has all the answers? Over time, this can be draining to be around, right? Why? Because they engage in mainly one-sided conversations. They are “The Answer Man” (or Woman), and they don’t take time to understand issues from the perspective of others. Lately, I have been thinking a lot about the questions Jesus asked while here on earth. Why did he ask so many questions? How are his questions so effective at penetrating the heart?

So today, I thought we could look at three of Jesus’ questions and discuss how they penetrated. The goal for me is to learn to ask better questions of God and those around me.

Can the blind lead the blind? This is the classic rhetorical question. And it deals with my judging heart. I judge others because I myself feel inadequate without a relationship with God. And Jesus follows this up with another piercing question in verse 41: “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?” So in order to see personal growth spiritually, I must focus on my own areas of improvement and quit comparing myself to others. Instead, I should shoot for the perfection standard God has laid out for me.

“Woman, will you give me a drink?” This second question is a fascinating one. It is a question that establishes a relationship based on something the woman can do for Jesus. This menial task must have seemed cumbersome to the woman; but to Jesus, who was thirsty, it was valuable. So Jesus asked her for something he valued that she could easily give. I find asking others for help in an area of my need, humbles me and teaches me to be better at receiving gifts. He also used this question to dig at a deeper thirst inside this woman’s soul. She searched for satisfaction, identity, and a love that would not run dry. She burned through five marriages in search of it. Jesus could give her this meaning in a relationship with him, the Lord of the Universe. So, he told her to ask.

What will I ask Jesus for today? Will it be material blessings or for truth that quenches the soul?

The final question is posed to a woman who was brought to him who had committed adultery. He says: “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” When we reach our personal bottom in life, after trying to run things on our own, apart from God, we are often in such a desperate state that we can hear pure truth. Jesus wanted her to see that 1) he stood up for her and protected her, 2) her accusers were sinners too, and 3) true freedom comes not from external praise and recognition, but from God. He forgave her sins and told her to go and sin no more.

Tying this all together, here are my applications: 1) Don’t get caught up in seeking leadership positions or place too much importance on gaining power. Instead, focus on my own spiritual development and let God bring the opportunities in his time. Otherwise, I might be blind in areas and lead others astray. 2) Ask questions to build bridges with others. Ask them for help in areas they can help me. And then offer to bless them by introducing them to the one who can quench the thirst in their souls! 3) Stand for the oppressed and broken-hearted. Stand up against men with evil motives. This is what Jesus did. And his question pointed out the truth that they all had sinned. In asking questions this way, I call those who are perishing into a life of freedom in Jesus Christ.

Lord, thank you for your truth in the Word of God! Thank you for your penetrating questions. Teach me to ask better questions and listen to the hearts of others today!