Read Matthew Chapter 21:23-27
I Would Love To Answer Your Question With A Question.
Jesus entered the temple of God and began to teach. The chief priests and the elders came to Jesus asking him, “By what authority are you doing these things (teachings and miracles)? And who gave you this authority?
It doesn’t matter how much love Jesus has shown to people, nor how many miracles of love he displayed, and it doesn’t matter how much Truth he preached – his authority was questioned, even by the “religious leaders.”
It’s no different today. We do ministry in the high school once a week. We average around 60 students that attend. We do a lot to impact lives within the school. God’s truth is shared. We love people. No matter what we do, there are still those who mock the name of Jesus and therefore mock what we are doing.
In verses 24-25, Jesus answered the question he was asked about whose authority he is operating under, with a question. Rather than saying he’s operating under his father, God, he asks a question that implies it’s from God. He asks them if the ministry of John the Baptist was from God or men? For the religious leaders to say “God” they would have to agree that Jesus was God’s chosen one. To say it was from Men meant there would be a large multitude of people who would be upset because they believed John the Baptist was God’s prophet.
Jesus didn’t answer the question but in a sense he did by asking a question. His question brought the realization of Truth into the mind of the religious leaders. They were forced to answer it themselves.
Answering a question with a question can be powerful. It forces a person to answer it themselves which has one of two outcomes:
1. It brings to life the truth that one didn’t know but wanted to know. THIS RESULTS IN JOY!!! They were able to figure it out on their own because they were forced to think it through. Now the truth becomes more real to them.
2. It convicts the heart of the person who asked the question. A person asks you a question with the intent of trapping you into saying something so they can accuse you of some wrongdoing or so they themselves look good. But your question forces them to come up with the answer which reveals their evil heart. It convicts them with the Truth. You didn’t answer their question but you did answer the question in a way that takes the power away from them to come back on you.
Lord teach me to answer questions with good questions that help:
BRING JOY or CONVICT A HEART with your TRUTH.
