“Jesus is the answer” goes the old saying, but I notice as I read the gospels how often Jesus challenges His followers by asking them pointed questions. Here are just a few from the Gospel of Mark.
1) “Who touched me?”
A woman who has suffered for 12 years with an untreatable flow of blood is certain that if she just touches Jesus’s clothes, she will be healed. In the midst of the crowd Jesus feels her touch, and power leaves Him. “Who touched me?” He asks.
2) “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?”
Everybody is trying to call Jesus’ attention to His relatives. It gives Him the chance to ask the question, “Who is My mother? Who are My brothers?” We are all given that chance. “Whoever does God’s will is My brother, sister and mother,” He says.
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3) “Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them?”
The Pharisees are trying to back Jesus into a corner. Shouldn’t He be fasting? Shouldn’t His followers do the same? He spins their thinking around, comparing His followers to wedding guests at a celebration where He is the groom.
4) “How much bread do you have?”
In the Gospel of Mark Jesus performs the miracle of the loaves and fishes twice. Even the second time around the disciples look down at their supplies in bewilderment. “How much bread do you have?” Jesus asks them. “Seven loaves,” they say. Seven loaves? It turns out to be more than enough to feed thousands.
5) “What do you want me to do for you?”
A blind beggar named Bartimaeus hears Jesus and calls out more than once, even when urged to be silent, “Jesus, Son of David, show me mercy.” “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asks. “I want to see,” he says. “Go, your faith has healed you,” Jesus says. At once the man was able to see.
How would I answer that last question? How would you?
