Day 5: Answers by Questions

​In Matthew 16,  Jesus takes his disciples to Cesaria Philippi. This city is at the base of Mount Herman, and its also the headwaters or source for the Jordan river.  In the ancient world, any time water came out of the ground, the would make those places centers of worship because they believed their gods were connected and brought this provision of water. 

Caananites chose this city to be a place for the worship of Baal.  Greeks and Romans chose this location to be a center for worship of the god Pan.  Herod built an enormous temple here to worship the man who they claimed to be god, Ceasar Augustus.  Right here in this place where multiple cultures claimed their idols to be god,  Jesus asks his disciples,  who do men say that I am?

They began to scroll through the list of what others said or thought that Jesus was.So Jesus asks them specifically, “who do YOU say that I am?” Peter, the spokesman for the group, says “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 

If you’ve ever been a child, or know someone who has,  you know that parents have the tendency to ask questions they already know the answer to.  In fact,  not only do they do this, but the clever parent also answers their child’s question….WITH A QUESTION!?

Why?  Why ask someone a question when you already know the answer?  Why when an individual comes inquiring about a topic would we answer them with a question? It is not because we don’t know the answer, but rather because there is a realization that must take place in the answerer’s mind/heart.

This is one way you’ll know God is speaking to you.  Often, in His still, small voice,  he asks of you a question.  Not because he is ignorant,  but often because he has already given you what you need to know. 
 
My grandmother has some funny, what we call “Sandyisms.”  These are phrases that don’t really make sense…but they do at the same time.  Once, she said to me, “Jon, I didn’t know that until I realized it.”

The same is true for you and I.  God has given us his Word.  In it, he has all the answers to every one of life’s questions.  Truly, there are no unanswered questions, just unrealized truth.  Many times when you ask God a question, He will respond with “Who do you say that I am?”  Because when you finally realize who HE is.  You’ll know who YOU are.  And when you know who you are, you’ll know what to do.

Prayer today:  Dear God,  please show me who you are in my situation right now.