Throughout the Gospels, Jesus has conversations with all kinds of people – the religious leaders, tax collectors and sinners, his closest friends, and those in the Roman government. If they had a question or need from Jesus, he was there to answer. Many times Jesus used questions to answer questions. The fact that Jesus answered questions with more questions can show us something more about our own connection and conversations with Jesus today. While everyone may not have fully understood the answers Jesus gave or the questions he presented, he always answered what was most important. I also think that the answer was not as important to Jesus, as was the conversation that happened in the process.
The same is true for us today. Through our questions of faith to Jesus, sometimes we find ourselves faced with more questions. But the process of asking questions and searching for answers is what helps our faith to grow. It’s in this process that we see what is most important, even if it wasn’t answered directly when we first set out asking questions. I think that God desires these kinds of conversations with us because the relationship is most important, not just knowing the right answers to the questions.
In my role of teaching our Confirmation classes, I share with our students many times, how important it is for them to ask questions. Questioning is not unequal to faith, even though sometimes we think it is. Unbelief is the opposite of faith, but questions or doubt are not. In fact, questions can help us to grow in our faith. It’s really important that we seek out answers to those questions in a spiritually healthy way. Some of these ways are looking in scripture, talking to a trusted Christian friend or mentor, praying and talking with God, and serving others in a way that you are learning and experiencing things that challenge you and help you to grow more in your understanding of God and the world. This process of asking questions and seeking answers is a part of our relationship with God that God desires from us. It’s a way that we can spend more time with him, and discover ways that we can live out our purpose.
Rev. Keith King, Online Campus Ministry
