“Questions Are Powerful”

Originally Posted April 15, 2020

Trial lawyers have an old saying: “You never ask a question on cross examination to which you do not know the answer.” Perry Mason certainly followed that mandate in the TV series that was broadcast from 1957-1966. Perry never lost a case. I actually felt bad for the district attorney, Hamilton Burger, who was always inches away from victory when Perry would snatch victory out of his hands. I think Perry learned a few things from watching Jesus operate in the New Testament. Jesus was often asking questions that he knew the answers to. In Luke 24 we see Jesus probing the men on the road to Emmaus.  

“That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus…talking with each other about all these things that had happened. Jesus himself drew near …but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, “What is this conversation which you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people.” (Luke 24:13-19)

Jesus knew the answers to these questions before he asked them. Unlike Perry Mason, he wasn’t trying to win a law suit; he was helping Cleopas and his friend  who were sad and confused. He was helping them get to the truth, the truth about conversion and salvation. Later they did understand and said “did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the scriptures ?” 

Jesus asks us questions to help us see what we really believe, what our issues and questions really are, so that the truth can bring healing and conversion. It’s not bad to have questions about our faith. We need to take them to the Lord and listen for his answers. His answers will set us free.