He Asked Questions
Jesus asked far more than he answered.
On curiosity, listening, and slowing a conversation down.
The big idea
The Son of God, who knew the answers, mostly asked questions.
Opening scripture
“Jesus asked him: what do you want me to do for you?”
What does “He Asked Questions” walk through?
What Do You Want?
Mark 10:51 · KJV
And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight.
In plain English
Jesus asked him: what do you want me to do for you?
He Asked A Blind Man What He Wanted
It looks obvious. It was not. Jesus refuses to assume, even where assuming would be easy — the question gives the man his own voice back.
Who Do You Say I Am?
Matthew 16:15 · KJV
He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
In plain English
He said to them: but who do you say that I am?
“A question invites a person in. An answer, delivered too early, closes the door.”
Quick To Listen
James 1:19 · KJV
Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
In plain English
Listen first, speak carefully, and don’t rush into anger. This helps relationships stay healthy.
Slower Than We Are
Jesus' conversations move at a pace almost nobody manages now. He lets silences sit. He asks again. He is never rushing to the point.
Pray
Jesus, make me someone who asks before telling. Amen.
Write it down
Who could you ask a real question this week — then just listen?
Ask, then wait
Curiosity is a form of love.
Which passages does this journey use?
3 passages, drawn from Mark 10:51, Matthew 16:15, James 1:19. Every verse appears here in the King James text with a plain-English line beside it, so you can read it without a commentary open. Allow about 6 minutes for the whole thing, or 7 short sittings.
- Mark 10:51
- Matthew 16:15
- James 1:19
Read any of these in full on the complete KJV, or look the wording up independently at Blue Letter Bible.
More in The Habits of Jesus
All The Habits of Jesus →He Withdrew To Lonely Places
The habit underneath everything Jesus did.
Before Dawn
What Jesus did before the day could ask anything of him.
He Slept In The Storm
Rest that does not wait for calm.
Interruptible
Jesus kept getting stopped, and kept stopping.
He Was Never In A Hurry
Urgency was not one of his tools.
He Touched People
Presence you could feel.