After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee. When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”
- Matthew 11:1-3
 
Next week we’re going to be starting a new series called “That’s a Great Question.” God affirms question-asking and question-askers. We see that in today’s passage.
 
Listen to John’s question to Jesus: “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” We’ll talk more about John and his context tomorrow, but you don’t need to know much about what’s going on here to catch the intensity of the question.
 
John – from prison – sends a delegation to find out if Jesus is the real deal.
 
Walk long enough in relationship with Jesus and you’ll find yourself asking him questions too. “Why did this happen?” or “What does that thing you said actually mean?” or even “What do I do now?”
 
The God we see revealed in Jesus is a God who can handle our questions, a God who loves being asked questions. He’s willing to listen and able to understand. He cares.
 
As God draws us closer to him, some of us feel deeper freedom to ask more difficult questions, to voice doubts and concerns, and to share with him the corners of our hearts where we’re still struggling to trust him.
 
Others of us find ourselves more hesitant to ask questions, not wanting to seem disrespectful or disloyal. But whether we ask them or not, the life’s ups and downs inevitably cause some questions to accumulate.
 
What sort of questions have you asked God over the course of your life? How does your relationship with God influence your willingness to ask him questions?