People ask the wrong questions

People ask the wrong questions all the time.  I usually wear an analog watch every day, and people will ask me the time, even when they have their phone out because they want to see my watch.  My favorite recently has been the young teenagers that have no clue how to read an analog watch asking the time.  I know in their hearts that they want to learn to read the watch, but they don’t ask to learn, rather they complain about how they can’t read the watch I have.

I can see the question forming in their mind, but they have too much pride to admit what they really want to know.  They ask the wrong question in hopes of getting the answer to the question they won’t ask.  I have the option at this point on how I will respond to their initial question, will I answer the question they asked, or will I give them the answer they are seeking?

People did this with Jesus all the time.  Different groups of people would ask questions to either trap Him in His response or to understand why and how He did the things He did.  They would ask loaded questions to trap Him, things like, “what is the greatest commandment?” or “if a woman was widowed by seven men, whose wife will she be in eternity?” These questions are traps and Jesus was wise in His response, usually avoiding the question by responding with a question Himself.

In the gospel of John, Jesus had fed the 5000 and needed some time away from the crowds, seeking relationship with God in prayer.  The next day the crowds sought out Jesus knowing His disciples has taken the boat as they wanted something more from Jesus.  John 6:22-27 reads:

22 The next day the crowd that had stayed on the opposite shore of the lake realized that only one boat had been there, and that Jesus had not entered it with his disciples, but that they had gone away alone. 23 Then some boats from Tiberias landed near the place where the people had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks. 24 Once the crowd realized that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into the boats and went to Capernaum in search of Jesus.

25 When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, "Rabbi, when did you get here?"

26 Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. 27 Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval."

The question the crowd really wanted to ask was how did you get here if not in the boat with the disciples and where can we get more food?  Jesus answers that question by getting to the heart of the matter.  They wanted what Jesus had to offer, eternal life, but primarily right relationship with God the Father.  They sought to know God by understanding how the miracles were done, but Jesus taught them about God and the offer of eternal life through Him.

Take time this week to discover what your true questions of God are.  Seek Him out and ask Him to teach you what you want to know.  You may be surprised that He will answer you as you read the scriptures and pray, or He may give you the answer that you really do need to deepen your faith and trust Him more.