Questions and answers

John 3: 9 - 15

How can this be?

In Scripture, we read of people with doubts, with questions...questions that come from different needs and motives. And God, who reads the hearts of men responds in ways appropriate to the questioner's needs and motives. On one hand we hear Mary, the one chosen to be the mother of Jesus, asking the angel, "How will this be...?" (Luke 1: 34). On the other hand we hear the Pharisees asking Jesus, "Who gave you this authority?" (Luke 20: 2). Mary was reassured about God's plan while Jesus did not answer but challenged the Pharisees with a question of his own.

Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council is often seen as a coward coming as he did to Jesus under cover of night. Whatever his true motive, Jesus' incisive answers about being born again must have left an impression on him. For later Nicodemus demonstrates courage by speaking up in Jesus' behalf (John 7: 50) and even assisting in Jesus' burial (John 19: 39).

In the Christian life we are often given answers too soon: long before our questions are fully formed and are heard. Questions are often seen as signs of doubt, of lack of faith and are quickly answered by those who have a large store of Scripture passages to quote for each and every need. Are you fearful? Read this verse. Are you feeling angry? Read this other verse. At this stage in my journey of faith, I no longer believe that using Scripture as if writing a prescription for medicine is adequate for a person's spiritual needs. I find that many Christians have questions about their faith - questions that they dare not ask for fear of being thought of as lacking in faith. I have questions, even as I do believe with all my heart that Jesus is who he says he is. Where does that place me? Am I just being stubborn...? Or do my questions and seeking lead me deeper into the mystery of faith? I believe it is the latter. I often have to ask myself , though, where the questions arise from. Am I, by asking questions, merely avoiding commitment to what God has clearly said? If so, then I have to confess my wrong motives and align myself again with God. But at other times, the questions arise from a deeper place. They are honest questions...but at the same time I realize that there are no answers that my finite mind could ever grasp. These are the types of questions that keep me (like a little child, puzzled about something) coming back to my Father just to hear him say, "I am here, my little one. I love you".