“Oh, my soul, be prepared to meet him who knows how to ask questions” (T. S. Eliot)
God’s first word to man: “Where are you?” (Genesis 3:9). Meaning where in relation to Him. God asks the first murderer: “Where is your brother Abel?” (Genesis 4:9). The implication is that we are responsible for our brethren. Nicholas Berdyaev noted that another significant question is: “Abel, where is your brother Cain?” We may ponder this today in light of our nation’s 1000th execution since making capital punishment again legal.
The Son of God, like His Father, came asking similar questions. When pressed to explain the commitment a Christian has to government: “Whose image is this, and whose title? (Matthew 22:20). To those who judge and would punish others without self-examination: “Who will throw the first stone?” How distressing to notice the supposedly God-fearing “good Christians” even among the clergy rushing to judgment, much like the Pharisees in our Lord’s time.
When His popularity was at a high point: “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” (Matthew 16:13). The entire civilized world has some opinion about Christ. They measure Him with the standards applied to famous people through the centuries. Our Lord is concerned about the answer to His second question to the disciples: “But who do you say that I am?” (16:15). They ought to have another response. He is not like other humans—he is Son of Man, thus in all ways like us—BUT—meaning those who are with Him in spirit know something else. St. Peter speaking for the apostles and for us as well answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Here is the first creed, one that we are wise to ponder and apply the meaning to our lives.
After describing the significance of compassion by the tale of the Good Samaritan, He asked the lawyer: “Which of these three [rabbi, Levite, Samaritan] was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?” (Luke 10:36). Here is a warning to us that piety, church attendance and worship are worthless without concern for the welfare of those who are in need.
After healing the lepers, He wondered: “Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” (Luke 17:17). It should give encouragement to clergy and all caregivers not to expect gratitude from those who receive help, love, attention and affection at our hands.
“Who are my mother and my brothers?” (Mark 3:33). Those He addressed had an obvious response, but He had another answer: “Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.” To grasp the meaning one must first consider what family provides. We are born into a family, and the members nourish us not merely with food and shelter, but with love. Our Lord Jesus is saying that He too has a need—to be loved, believed and followed. To do so is to do God’s will. Nothing else on earth or in heaven is as important. Better stated, that’s the only thing of significance. All else is secondary. It doesn’t oppose one’s family ties as we know them, but rather places them in the context of sanctity. How can any of us be the mother of Jesus Christ? It seems both blasphemy and stupidity; nevertheless, as He provides us with mercy and compassion, so we can by the grace of the Holy Spirit nourish His desire for our love.
“Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?” (Matthew 20:22). The sons of Zebedee didn’t know the implications of what they were asking. Christ said as much. But He added that they would indeed taste the bitterness of persecution and in James’ case, martyrdom. Do we consider that each time we receive Him from the sacred chalice?
And finally what each of us must answer for ourselves: “Do you love Me?” (John 21:16).