Beech Tree News Network

            Questions can be useful tools when teaching people. Jesus knew the power of questions and asked them often when He taught folks. Let us look at two questions Jesus asked and make some applications to ourselves.

             On one occasion, Jesus asked, “Have ye not read?” We find this question asked in Matthew 19:4. When the Pharisees came to Jesus and tried to tempt Him (Matt. 19:3), He asked them whether or not they had read the Scriptures (Matt. 19:4)! Friend, we will never know what pleases God unless we spend time reading the Scriptures! How sad it is to see people who seem to “have it all,” and yet they have no idea what God has said. This is because they do not know the Bible.

             We need to know what the Bible says because these words will judge us one day (Jn. 12:48). Reading God’s word gives us understanding (Eph. 3:4). Possessing proper knowledge of the Scriptures provides us with what we need to handle God’s word correctly and be thoroughly furnished for every good work (II Tim. 2:15, 3:16-17).

             How can we know the Truth if we never read the Bible (Jn. 17:17)? We will be confused and groping in darkness if we refuse to examine God’s word daily (Ps. 119:105). Jesus asked the Pharisees whether or not they had read the words of God. Let us make the application personal. “Have YOU not read?” Why not decide to commit to reading God’s word every day. Take just 15 minutes from your day and read God’s word. The benefits will amaze you! By maintaining this discipline, you will want to read more!

             Another question Jesus asked is, “What shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” This is recorded in Matthew 16:26. Jesus asked this vital question when speaking about self-denial. Beginning in Matthew 16:24, we read, “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?”

             What could one give in exchange for his soul? In truth, nothing! There is nothing we could exchange that would be equal in value to the human soul. Yet, many people exchange their souls daily for drugs, fleshly desires, power, wealth, etc. How sad it would be to pass from this life to the next knowing the Truth, and then knowing you exchanged your soul for some temporary pleasure! Moses did not make this mistake (Heb. 11:24-25), and may we not fall into Satan’s trap, either. Let us not exchange our souls for temporary pleasures. Instead, let us make sure our souls are right with God by being forgiven of our sins (Mk. 16:16).

             Hopefully, we can see how powerful questions can be. It was the asking of questions that brought Adam and Eve out of hiding (Gen. 3:9-11). It was powerful questions that confronted the Jews’ error in Jesus’ day (Matt. 21:23-27). Let us never forget the questions Jesus asks of us through the written word.

 -- You are invited to visit with the Caneyville church of Christ. Times of services: Sun.: 10:00 am, 10:45 am, 5:00 pm; Wed.: 7:00 pm. Website: http://caneyvillechurchofchrist.com Tune in to our radio program 101.5 FM at 5:30 am, Mon-Fri. Questions? Call: (270) 589-4167