A Duke Jeyaraj Passion Week Tuesday Meditation
On the Tuesday of the Passion Week, Jesus answered a series of questions (at least five). From the way he tackled these questions we learn rich lessons on handling questions from skeptics and seekers.
1. Use UNFORGETTABLE IMAGERY & STORY while answering the Question.
Jesus talked about the “moving mountains” while answering the question, “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?” (Matt. 21:20-22). Jesus told parables (stories with a message) when he was asked questions (see Matt. 21:35-41). In Matt. 22:4-14 Jesus narrated another parable in response to a question during Passion Week Tuesday. When someone asks you, “Is there a God?”, respond this way, “Can 1000 monkeys sitting on a typewriter produce a dictionary?”
2. Sometimes you need to ASK A QUESTION in response to a Question.
Jesus retorted with another question when the chief priests and elders asked him, “By what authority are you doing these things?” (Matt. 21:23-22:14). This question concerning their disobedience to John’s call for repentance and baptism stumped them! To those who question you about the faith you need to believe in a God, retort, “Do you think that you do not need any faith not to believe in a God?” To those who ask you about, “What happens to those who have never heard of Jesus?” ask this question, “Why, do you want to go as a missionary to them?” before giving a serious answer.
3. Use the question to address IMPORTANT ISSUES which may benefit the questioner.
When answering the question, “Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” Jesus took the opportunity of teaching this: Since we are made in God’s image, we must give our whole lives to Him! (Matt. 22:15-22). In other words, go beyond mere answering of the question into evangelism. If someone asks, “Why is Jesus the only way in a world of many faiths?” we should not only be able to answer that question but also issue an evangelistic call as the Spirit leads us to.
4. Encourage hearers to go back to the BIBLE when answering the question.
The Bible is the ultimate answer to every question. Jesus knew this. So when he was asked, “Now then, at the resurrection whose wife will she be of the seven (dead brothers married to the same women, one after the other), since all of them were married?” (Matt.22:23-33), he shot back, “Have you not read….”(Matt. 22:31). “You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures…” Jesus charged (Mk. 12:24).
5. DIRECTLY answer the question, instead of beating about the bush.
To the question, “Which is the greatest commandment in the the Law?” Jesus gave a direct practical answer ((Matt. 22:34-40). When people ask you, “Is Jesus the only way to heaven?” say, “Yes, He is and he has given us considerable proof for that like his sinless life, fulfillment of prophecy and amazing claims to divinity….”
(Duke Jeyaraj is the founder of Grabbing the Google Generation from Gehenna Mission, a ministry to presentday people supported by those who read his writings and hear his messages. Find out more about this ministry by visiting www.dukev.org or by liking www.facebook.com/googleduke. Duke’s message videos are hosted on http://www.youtube.com/c/visitduke).