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In Genesis 13, we read about the events that led to Abraham and Lot separating. Lot lived with and among his Uncle Abraham, but both men had vast flocks and livestock. Strife arose between the two men’s herdsmen because the land could not support such vast herds. On this occasion, Abraham says something that should be a reminder for all of us, even today. In Genesis 13:8, he says to Lot, “Let there be no strife between you and me, and between your herdsmen and my herdsmen, for we are kinsmen.” Abraham valued peace and unity and was willing to make great sacrifices to attain it. He was willing to put Lot’s needs before his own to avoid strife.

How highly do we value peace? Do we actively seek unity with our families—both physical and spiritual? What are we willing to do and even sacrifice to have peace? Let’s learn from Abraham and remember that there should not be strife between kinsmen!

What would you do if you were in charge? We often desire power and authority; perhaps we even dream about what we would accomplish if we possessed such things. We would get to do things our way. Maybe we even harbor thoughts of the control we could wield over others. Sadly, many people use authority and power for selfish ends, and often, they abuse or mistreat others. But authority is not meant for tearing down—it is meant for helping others. This is especially true in the church.

In 2 Corinthians 10:8, the apostle Paul says, “For even if I boast a little too much of our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for destroying you, I will not be ashamed.” How do you view authority? Do you view it as a right allowing you to exercise power over others, or do you view it as a gift enabling you to help and serve others?

Our words and questions can reveal something of our own hearts and characters. Today, I want to end our series on “bad questions” with an example that likely applies to all of us.

In John 21, Jesus restored Peter but then also told Peter that one day, he would die in service to God. Even so, He exhorted Peter to “Follow Me.”  At that moment, Peter noticed John following them, and Peter asked, “What about this man?” Jesus responded perfectly: “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!”

We all are tempted to ask the same question Peter did—“What about so-and-so?” We like to look at others and their issues instead of focusing on ourselves. But such questions are distractions. We need to hear the Lord’s words as much as Peter did. Don’t worry about everyone else. Let’s each just do our part and follow the Lord.

Judas is perhaps the most notorious villain in all of history. His betrayal of the Lord stands as the epitome of evil and treachery. And yet, Matthew 27:3 says that when Judas saw Jesus was condemned, he brought the silver he had been given back to the chief priests and said, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” Judas confessed his fault and appeared to be on the doorstep of repentance. But listen to the response of the Jewish leaders. They asked, “What is that to us? See to it yourself.”

Judas made his own decisions and bore the guilt of his sin. But the Jewish leaders demonstrated evil and uncaring hearts with their question. One of the worst questions we can ask is, “Why should I care?” Are we ready to listen to others and help them, sometimes even in difficult and uncomfortable situations, or are we like the Jewish leaders who ask, “What is that to us?” and send people away with no help?

Good people can ask bad questions. Doubt, fear, and other emotions can cause even the most faithful to waiver. At the end of Mark four, we read about Jesus and the disciples sailing across the Sea of Galilee. Jesus fell asleep during the journey, but a great windstorm kicked up and threatened to sink the boat. The disciples woke Jesus, and Mark 4:38 says they cried out, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?”

What a question. Did Jesus care? Of course He cared! He was on the boat because He cared. He was living as a mortal man because He cared. He was moving ever closer to the cross because He cared! But danger can cause doubt, and doubt pulled their eyes away from Jesus. When we question the Lord and His love, we allow doubt to do to us what it did to the disciples on the sea. Don’t ask questions of doubt—trust in the Lord even in the most trying of circumstances.

Sometimes, a question is bad not because of the question itself but because of the reason it is asked. In Luke 10, a lawyer asked Jesus what to do to inherit eternal life. Jesus turned the question around and asked what the Law said. The lawyer responded, “To love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind and your neighbor as yourself.” Jesus commended the answer and said, “Do this, and you will live.” But the lawyer had another question. He asked, “And who is my neighbor?” Now, that was a great question. But Luke tells us the man asked it “…desiring to justify himself.” See, he wasn’t asking to learn but to try and justify or excuse himself. We should never ask questions based on such motives.

Even though this was a poor reason to ask the question, Jesus responded with the parable of the Good Samaritan. Sometimes, bad questions might give us an opportunity to give good, life-giving answers!

Last week, we discussed some bad questions people asked in the Old Testament. This week, let’s turn to the New Testament, where we can find more examples of “bad questions.”

Luke records an incident in which Jesus was not accepted or allowed in a Samaritan village because He was on His way to Jerusalem. The inhospitality of the village angered a couple of the Lord’s disciples, who thought punishment was in order. Luke 9:54 says, “When the disciples James and John saw this, they said, ‘Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?’” On the surface, the request was impressive. It displayed great faith that they could accomplish such a thing. It also appears that they are defending the Lord’s honor. But Jesus rebuked them. They were taking vengeance into their own hands and letting their prejudices fuel their reaction. Boldness and zeal are good, but only when tempered by knowledge and Christ-like love.

This week, we’ve considered some bad questions people asked in the Old Testament. Let’s finish with one more example.

Nearly everyone knows the story of Jonah. God commanded the prophet to preach to the city of Nineveh,  but Jonah tried to run away. After being swallowed by a great fish and spit back up on dry land, Jonah decided to obey God. And his preaching was successful! The city repented, and God’s judgment was averted. But this didn’t sit well with Jonah, and he prayed to God: “O LORD, is not this what I said when I was yet in my country?”[1]

This question reveals Jonah’s prejudiced and unloving heart. Further, it demonstrates that his desires and God’s desires were different. Do we think we know better than God? Do we believe we are better judges of character than the Lord? Do God’s desires shape our desires and hopes, or are we set in our own ways?

[1] Jonah 4:2