My title as the Queen of Questions was given to me during my children’s teenage years. Believe me, I asked a LOT of questions. Those teenagers didn’t always answer me truthfully, and there were times when I didn’t ask nearly ENOUGH questions. But, I, at least, demonstrated my interest and my concern about where they were going, who they would be with, what they would be doing, and when could I expect them back home, etc. etc. etc. Any parent reading this can relate.
In my present role as a travel writer, my questioning skills come in very handy. My husband smiles every time he’s with me and a tourism representative, a chef or a B & B owner says, in response to one of my questions: “I’ve never been asked that before.” I hope I’m not annoying. I just want to know the details. I want to know what lies beneath the surface. I want to know a person’s motivation or inspiration.
A granddaughter recently paid me a very high compliment without even realizing it, I suppose. She said, “Momma says that if I want to learn about the Art of Conversation, I should talk to YOU.” Wow. That made me feel warm all over. I do love a lively, give-and-take, everyone-gets-to-participate conversation. And I know that oftentimes good conversation flows as a result of good questions that lead a person to talk about his/her passions.
So, how does all of this relate to THE Perfect Role Model for a questioner such as I am?
Once again, I have to give Preacher Matt the credit for pointing me toward a book he found recently. Jesus is the Question: The 307 Questions Jesus Asked and the 3 He Answered by Martin Copenhaver. Here’s a link if you want to check it out or order one.
How many times have you heard the phrase “Jesus is the Answer”? This book goes in a different direction and proclaims that Jesus is the QUESTION. So, Jesus ASKED 307 questions, but He only answered 3. Why hadn’t I realized that before? That means He was (and IS) THE ultimate King of Questions, wouldn’t you say?
Matt went on to point out 3 questions Jesus asked that are critical for us to answer in order to have a deeper relationship with the Savior (verses are from the New King James Version).
- “What are you looking for?” John 1:38-39 “Then Jesus turned, and seeing them following, said to them, “What do you seek?” They said to Him, “Rabbi” (which is to say, when translated, Teacher), “where are You staying?” 39 He said to them, “Come and see.” They came and saw where He was staying, and remained with Him that day (now it was about the tenth hour).
- “What do you want Me to do?” Mark 10:36 and Mark 10:51 “36 And He said to them, “What do you want Me to do for you?” 51 So Jesus answered and said to him, “What do you want Me to do for you?” The blind man said to Him, “Rabboni, that I may receive my sight.”
- “Do you love Me?” John 21:15 “ So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah,do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Feed My lambs.”
I think it would be a very revealing thing for all of us to do — to imagine Jesus asking us those 3 questions and pondering how we would answer Him. (Insert your own name, of course) Connie, what are you looking for? Connie, what do you want Me to do? Connie, do you love Me?
I don’t know about you, but I’ve got some thinking to do.
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