Monday 28 October, 2019

While everyone was marveling at all that Jesus did, he said to his disciples, 44 “Listen carefully to what I am about to tell you: The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men.” 45 But they did not understand what this meant. It was hidden from them, so that they did not grasp it, and they were afraid to ask him about it.

As I read this short passage, a phrase immediately stood out to me: “… they did not understand what this meant… and they were afraid to ask Him about it”.

It got me thinking, when have I been afraid to ask questions?

Some options that came to mind (there are probably others):

• I’ve been afraid that the person might get angry/annoyed with me for asking questions
• I’ve been afraid that I’d look silly or ignorant for not understanding something, so I kept quiet
• I’ve been afraid to ask questions because I really didn’t want to know the truth since the answer was not what I wanted to hear

The writer, Luke, doesn’t tell us why he and the other disciples were afraid to ask Jesus questions on this matter, so we are left to wonder why. But I will try to address the 3 possible options I listed above.

• Nowhere in the Bible do we see Jesus or the Father get annoyed with people for asking questions unless they were asking for the purpose of trying to prove their own point – Sincere questions are welcomed by God
• Nowhere in the Bible do we see Jesus or the Father mocking someone for their ignorance – Humility is welcomed by God
• The Bible is clear that the truth brings us freedom, even though sometimes it can initially be painful to face a truth that you don’t want to hear – Honesty is welcomed by God

I am so grateful that we don’t need to be afraid to ask God questions. He is patient and kind even when we are slow to learn, and He brings us freedom through His truth and through our honesty.

Written by Shelley Witt