‘They found [Jesus] in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions’ (Luke 2:46).
When heaven’s Answer met earth, he came with questions. The very first Gospel account of His words describes Him ‘asking them questions’. This isn’t simply to do with His young age. This is His ancient way. Right from the beginning – right from ‘Adam, where are you?’ – God’s Wisdom has engaged in dialogue, not simply download. And so in the Gospels, Jesus puts 290 different questions to his hearers. That’s over three per chapter – which is a lot!
Be interested, not interesting
This challenges my pride. I kid myself that I’m interesting. But Jesus calls me to be interested. Truth be told, that’s a relief because, a) I’m not very interesting, and b) there is little more boring than a person trying to be interesting. On the other hand, there are few things more nourishing than an interested conversation partner.
The elderly and bereaved: a growing gospel need
“Let me put it this way. I don’t expect there to be many people at my funeral.”My new friend …