Questions For Jesus Luke 23:9 I. Introduction. A. Not only did the Lord ask questions, he was questioned: Luke 23:9(did not always answer.) B. The questions come from different sources. 1. The leaders of the Pharisees: entrapment. 2. The people: information. 3. The disciples: explanations. 4. Individuals: assistance. C. Questions can be used as an attack on a person. 1. Trying to take away influence. 2. Attempting to discredit. D. Questions can be a call for help. 1. To increase knowledge. 2. To understand a command/statement/instruction. 3. To deal with a problem. 4. A legitimate form of teaching and learning: Jesus does the teaching, men absorb the learning. II. Body. Jesus was asked... A. "Who art thou?" John 8:35. 1. Earlier stated he was the light of the world, as they listened, they wanted to know about this teacher. 2. Teaching in the temple--tried to entrap him--could not. 3. Christ told them they would die in their sins unless they believed in him. 4. Hence, "Who art thou?" a. "Art thou the Christ?" Mark 14:61. b. Simply: "I am." B. "To whom shall we go?" John 6:68. 1. Many went back(to world) and walked no more with him: v. 66. 2. Jesus had taught: v. 56. a. "A hard saying": v. 60. b. Spoken words of spirit and life: v. 63. c. Still some did not believe. 3. Peter knew the Lord had the words of life. 4. Is there any other source of truth and righteousness at present? 5. Christians have all of the truth in God's word: still some will walk no more with us. C. "Which is the great commandment?" Matthew 22:35-36. 1. Man has ever sought to place things, objects, commands, etc. on a hierarchy. 2. Perhaps if we ranked them and kept those that were great, we could neglect the lesser? 3. Are any commands to be put aside in favor of other commands? 4. Jesus answer: v. 37-38(explain the import of this). 5. A second: v. 39. 6. Hence: v. 40(Covers God and man). D. "What good thing shall I do?" Matthew 19:16. 1. This is not the only person who thinks in this manner: many look for a single action that insures salvation(believe only)? 2. The Lord's answer: v. 17. 3. Jesus relates commands to the young man(noble in seeking). 4. "What lack I yet?"(Matthew 19:20. a. A person always lacks that which will hinder one from being saved(whether doing something or giving up something). b. Possessions stood between this one and salvation. c. Whatever stands between any person and God must be removed. d. The young man put wealth above salvation. E. "Is it lawful to give tribute to Ceasar, or not?" Matthew 22:17. 1. They wanted to "ensnare" the Lord: v. 15. 2. The Lord's reply: v. 18-21. 3. Their reaction: v. 22. 4. Jesus disciples, including Christians, follow these principles. 5. The world puts Ceasar first; disciples put Christ first--but meet their civic responsibilities. F. "Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife?" Mark 10:2. 1. Seems to be a problem of the ages. 2. God intended one man for one woman for life. 3. The question: Matthew 19:17. 4. Moses had allowed: v. 5. 5. Trying Jesus, they failed, as the Lord pointed out: v. 6-9. 6. The answer of Jesus Christ has been ignored in the generations that followed, but the answer of Christ still holds true: read it yourself in Mark 10:11-12. III. Conclusion. A. Questions can be a source of learning, a help in time of trouble, a source of trouble, and an occasion to accuse one. Jesus was a master at handling any of those questions. B. The Lord answered questions that helped people be righteous.-James L. Yopp