JESUS' FAVORITE QUESTION?

Jesus’ Favorite Question by Keith Giles

Did you know that Jesus had a favorite question? Well, it seems that he did.

As you read through the Gospels you start to notice that Jesus almost never seemed to answer a direct question posed to him. In fact, most of the time he would answer the question by asking another question of his own that went straight to the deeper issue at hand.

One question that Jesus seemed to ask the people he came into contact with most often was something like; “What would you have me to do for you?” Or, “What do you want from me?”

It’s something that makes me stop and think. At first I wonder what I would say to Jesus if he were to ask me that same question. Do I want more money? A better job? A nicer house? Or would I ask him for something more “spiritual” like peace or wisdom or joy?

But lately I’ve been challenged by the idea that maybe there is a totally different way for me to look at this question. For instance, Jesus is our example of how we are to live a Kingdom Life. If that is so, then maybe I’ve got it all backwards. Maybe instead of wondering what I want Jesus to give me, or do for me, or bless me with, I should instead begin making it my habit to ask others that same question.

Basically, if Jesus is my example, and if Jesus was constantly walking around asking people, “What would you have me do for you?”, then maybe what I’m supposed to do is to follow his example. Maybe that’s what it means to be “a servant of all”?

The reality of this floors me. I can hardly bring myself to seriously consider this as an actual lifestyle choice. It’s challenging. It’s radical. It’s…well, it’s what Jesus would do.

Can you imagine what your day would be like if you actually started every conversation with “What would you have me to do for you?” and then proceeded to serve each person you met in whatever way they had a need?

Maybe that’s extreme, but it’s something I’ve been hearing from God about lately as a personal challenge. Can I live a life of a servant? Can I put the needs of others above my own? Can I become like Christ by sharing in his ministry of service to everyone I come in contact with?

Only by the Grace of God.

“Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.”- Mark 9:35

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.- Philippians 2:3