The religious leaders came up with best question they could imagine to manipulate Jesus in a no-win situation. Whether He answered yes or no, they hoped His influence would be negatively affected. And that was the question’s purpose, to diminish Him and restore power back to the religious leaders. Jesus understood their intent and responded with a question revealing their agenda.
Asking the right question is wisdom. Ask the wrong question and you may get an answer, but the answer doesn’t move your truth and understanding forward. It becomes an intellectual exercise or emotional reaction. How are you seeing this play out in your world?
Knowing and following Jesus is the beginning of wisdom. We need to ask Him the right questions— questions that come from a soft heart and open mind, not questions that help us hear the answer we want. More importantly, we need to hear the penetrating, yet grace-filled, questions that the Holy Spirit speaks within us. These are the door to true wisdom and understanding.
This is the way of discipleship — continual learning that seeks to ask and answer the right questions God has for each step of our growth. What question are you sensing He wants you to ask or answer today?