For the last few days I’ve been thinking about Jesus asking questions. I haven’t studied this out much yet, but some questions that have come to mind seem to be directed towards me. As a teacher, I’m used to asking questions, but it occurs to me that the questions Jesus asks others require an answer from me as well.
As leaders, we need to ask questions, but we need to answer them as well.
Here are a few questions I’ve been asking myself.
“Lovest Thou Me?” Three times the Savior asks Peter, “Lovest thou me?” (John 21:15). Do I love the Savior? How do I manifest it? How do I put Him first in my life? How do I help my family put Him first in our lives?
“Where are the Other Nine?” When Jesus asks the lone, returning leper, “Where are the other nine?” (Luke 17:17), He asks about our gratitude. Why am I grateful to the Savior? How do I show that gratitude? Does my family know and see my gratitude to the Savior? Am I grateful in times of difficulty and frustration?
“Why Persecutest Thou Me?” When the Savior asks Saul on the road to Damascus, “Why persecutes thou me?” (Acts 9:4), He asks why does Saul rebel? When am I hesitant to serve the Savior? When am I less than willing to build or sever in the Kingdom? When am I not as kind to others, or even mean to others which makes me unkind or mean to the Savior? When do I cause sorrow to the Savior because of what I’ve done or because of what I have not done?
“Wist Ye Not, That I Must be about My Father’s Business?” At an early age when the Boy Jesus as in the temple, He sensed then that He was doing the Lord’s work when he asks his parents, “Wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?” (Luke 2:49). How am I about the Father’s and the Son’s business? How do I strengthen others and lift the heavy hearted and overburdened? When do I place more emphasis and time on activities that are less important and meaningful than being an instrument in Father’s hands? When do I magnify my callings in the priesthood and at church to serve others?
“Could Ye Not Watch with Me One Hour?” Jesus asks His sleepy disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane, “Could ye not watch with me one hour?” (Matthew 26:40). Until recently, I’ve read this as a rebuke or a sign that His disciples lacked discipline. However, I’m reading it more to reveal the strength of the Savior who does exercise control over his body, who can stay awake to do the tremendous work that He has to do, while the rest of us sometimes nod off? I can I endure just a little longer by the Savior’s side? How can I exert just a little more effort, a little more desire, and little more perseverance to accomplish the work He has given me? How can I take care of my physical needs so that they don’t overpower me when I need extra energy and determination?
“How be It That Ye Have Not Written?” Jesus asks the Nephites during his brief visit at the Bountiful temple, “How be it that you have not written?” the prophecy of Samuel the Lamanite (3 Nephi 23:11). Have I recorded the Lord’s tender mercies in my life? Have I written the Savior’s goodness, guidance, strength, charity, and forgiveness in my life? Have I kept of record that demonstrates my willingness to serve Him and others? Sure I kept consistent journals years ago, but what effort do I put into this commandment now?
These questions and others are developing, and hopefully the answers will continue to be a source of strength and growth. We have a Heavenly Father and his Precious Son who love us, and they are with us. As we read the scriptures, especially the Savior’s words to us, may we continue apply their His teachings and questions to our lives.
As leaders, we need to ask questions, but we need to answer them as well.
Here are a few questions I’ve been asking myself.
“Lovest Thou Me?” Three times the Savior asks Peter, “Lovest thou me?” (John 21:15). Do I love the Savior? How do I manifest it? How do I put Him first in my life? How do I help my family put Him first in our lives?
“Where are the Other Nine?” When Jesus asks the lone, returning leper, “Where are the other nine?” (Luke 17:17), He asks about our gratitude. Why am I grateful to the Savior? How do I show that gratitude? Does my family know and see my gratitude to the Savior? Am I grateful in times of difficulty and frustration?
“Why Persecutest Thou Me?” When the Savior asks Saul on the road to Damascus, “Why persecutes thou me?” (Acts 9:4), He asks why does Saul rebel? When am I hesitant to serve the Savior? When am I less than willing to build or sever in the Kingdom? When am I not as kind to others, or even mean to others which makes me unkind or mean to the Savior? When do I cause sorrow to the Savior because of what I’ve done or because of what I have not done?
“Wist Ye Not, That I Must be about My Father’s Business?” At an early age when the Boy Jesus as in the temple, He sensed then that He was doing the Lord’s work when he asks his parents, “Wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?” (Luke 2:49). How am I about the Father’s and the Son’s business? How do I strengthen others and lift the heavy hearted and overburdened? When do I place more emphasis and time on activities that are less important and meaningful than being an instrument in Father’s hands? When do I magnify my callings in the priesthood and at church to serve others?
“Could Ye Not Watch with Me One Hour?” Jesus asks His sleepy disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane, “Could ye not watch with me one hour?” (Matthew 26:40). Until recently, I’ve read this as a rebuke or a sign that His disciples lacked discipline. However, I’m reading it more to reveal the strength of the Savior who does exercise control over his body, who can stay awake to do the tremendous work that He has to do, while the rest of us sometimes nod off? I can I endure just a little longer by the Savior’s side? How can I exert just a little more effort, a little more desire, and little more perseverance to accomplish the work He has given me? How can I take care of my physical needs so that they don’t overpower me when I need extra energy and determination?
“How be It That Ye Have Not Written?” Jesus asks the Nephites during his brief visit at the Bountiful temple, “How be it that you have not written?” the prophecy of Samuel the Lamanite (3 Nephi 23:11). Have I recorded the Lord’s tender mercies in my life? Have I written the Savior’s goodness, guidance, strength, charity, and forgiveness in my life? Have I kept of record that demonstrates my willingness to serve Him and others? Sure I kept consistent journals years ago, but what effort do I put into this commandment now?
These questions and others are developing, and hopefully the answers will continue to be a source of strength and growth. We have a Heavenly Father and his Precious Son who love us, and they are with us. As we read the scriptures, especially the Savior’s words to us, may we continue apply their His teachings and questions to our lives.
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