0208 LEADING WITH A QUESTION

LEADING WITH A QUESTION

The eleventh chapter of Mark is very similar to material that is found in Matthew, including the question from the leaders about where Jesus gets his authority. But Mark contains a little more detail, and especially one little phrase. That’s what I’d like to focus on today. Our Lord provides an example of how to deal with questions that are not really questions. Jesus asks a question within a question, you might say.

It strikes me how often Jesus asks questions, especially when being confronted with criticism from the Jewish leaders, and especially in the gospel of Mark. Maybe Jesus intended to show us how to have an argument, or how to win an argument. And maybe he was simply being shrewd, knowing that asking a question rather than delivering a lecture is the best way to proceed in a disagreement. He never said that he was doing that on purpose. But let’s note his practice and see what there is to learn from it.

Here are questions that show how Jesus answered criticism from the Pharisees:

Chapter 2

[The scribes are thinking, “Why does this man speak of forgiving sins? He is blaspheming!”] Jesus says, “Why do you question these things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say…forgiven…or…walk?”

[The scribes of the Pharisees said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?”] Jesus said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.” (There are five other times that I counted in the book of Mark where Jesus leads with a statement rather than a question. Nonetheless, there are many more times he leads with a question.)

[People came and said to him, “Why do (others’) disciples fast, but yours do not?”] Jesus said to them, “Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them?...

[Pharisees were saying to him, “Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath?”] He said to them, “Have you never read what David did …?”

Chapter 3

[They watched to see whether he would heal …on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse him.] He said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to kill?”

[The scribes were saying, “He is possessed by Beelzebul.”] He called them to him and said to them in parables, “How can Satan cast out Satan?”

[His mother and brothers called him, and a crowd said they were seeking him.] Looking about…he said, “Who are my mother and my brothers?”

More questions by Jesus:

Chapter 4

“Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables?”

“Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket, or under a bed, and not on a stand?”

“With what can I compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it?”

“Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?”

Chapter 5

“What is your name?”

“Who touched my garments?”

“Why are you making a commotion and weeping?”

“Why does this generation seek a sign?”

“Why are you questioning…Do you not yet perceive or understand?”

“Who do people say I am? Who do you say that I am?”

“What are you arguing about with them?”

“O faithless generation, how long am I to bear with you?”

“How long has this been happening to him?”

“What were you discussing on the way?”

“What did Moses command you?”

“Why do you call me good?”

“What do you want me to do for you?”

“Are you able to drink the cup that I drink…?”

“What do you want me to do for you?”

“Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations?’”

And here is the context of the question within a question that prompts my thoughts today:

The chief priests and the scribes and the elders came to him, and they said to him, “By what authority are you doing these things, or who gave you this authority to do them?”

Jesus said to them, “I will ask you one question; answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. Was the baptism of John from heaven or from man? Answer me.” . . . So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”

What shall we take away from this?

First, perhaps that in a debate or heated confrontation with someone who is accusing you, it is better to let your first comment be a question. Whether to set up the logic of your answer, or simply as the preamble to your answer, it seems to be far more common in Jesus’ conversation than it was (about 5 times) to lead with a statement.

Second, a question, sort of requires that the person reply. This both avoids lecture mode and also the right question can trap your opponent.

It makes me wonder; What do you think we can learn from Jesus in this?” (See what I did there?)