Any More Questions?

By Matt

1. "What is this--coming out after me with swords and clubs as if I were a dangerous criminal?" (Matthew 26:55) - I guess I can sympathize with the temple folks who would be afraid of a fight, maybe not by Jesus but his followers (as the ear-chopping demonstrates they weren't completely off). But it's true, Jesus came to bring peace so it is a mite ironic that they treat him as a criminal.
2. "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?" (Matthew 27:46)

I don't feel right answering the last question except to acknowledge that the answer has something to do with me. And so ends this exercise.

God, thank you for the record of Jesus' words and actions while he was here on earth. Help me to see the world through Jesus eyes and to have the courage and imagination to question what he questioned. In his name, amen.

I really hate making all these titles with "question" in them

By Matt

1. "Friend, why this charade?" (Matthew 26:50) - What I'm going to respond to here isn't so much about the meaning or symbolism of a kiss but rather why the heck would Judas kiss Jesus instead of pointing at him and saying something like, oh, "Hey, that's Jesus." I mean, honestly. Yes, a kiss is a symbol of love, affection, etc. so Judas' betrayal is made all the more bitter by that irony, but let's be honest, why is it necessary? The armed guards are there, Jesus already told Judas that he knew what is up. Why go through all that trouble? I just don't get it.
2. "Don't you realize that I am able right now to call to my Father, and twelve companies--more, if I want them--of fighting angels would be here, battle-ready?" (Matthew 26:53) - The fact that Jesus willingly hands himself over to be killed is an interesting dichotomy. It shows the depth of love God has for us but it also shows us the power of sin and just how much it took to bring us back to the table with God. It's a sobering fact. It's good and right to know that God has power over sin, and he grants it to us, but we shouldn't be lulled into complacency or be surprised when it shows up.
   
3. "But if I did that, how would the Scriptures come true that say this is the way it has to be?" (Matthew 54) - Well, it couldn't, J. Sorry. I really am, 'cause it's the terrible combination of my selfish nature, my lust and fear and anger and complacency with the power of sin that brought you to this point. And I'm sorry.
   

Questions for a New Year

This very month the dLog will be one year old! Woohoo! Let's celebrate with a post :)

1. "You, what do you want?" (Matthew 26:39) - This question is being addressed to God as Jesus wrestles with his impending crucifiction. He precedes it with, "My Father, if there is any way, get me out of this. But please, not what I want." I've never really felt that the scripture here matches the description of a man in such torment and agony he is sweating blood. Just not enough emotion to it. It's a hard thing behing asked of him and Jesus isn't trying to hide it. However, that makes his resolve to go through with God's plan all the more powerful when he chooses to accept it.
2. "Can't you stick it out with me a single hour?" (Matthew 26:40) - Jesus acknowledges the disciples' zeal but also their shortcomings: "there's another part [of you] that's a lazy as an old dog sleeping by the fire." As we have often pointed out here in the dLog before, we are as the disciples are, full of good intentions but rather stupid and inactive when the time comes.
   
3. "Are you going to sleep on and make a night of it?" (Matthew 26:45) - The disciples still can't keep their eyes open and Jesus asks this rather pointed question. Guess so!
   

Finally, Some Questions

1. "But the exact day and hour?" (Matthew 24:36) - I don't know if this is really a question since it isn't a full sentence but we'll go with it :) Anyways, Jesus answers his own question: no one knows except the Father. So why are so many people trying to guess when Jesus will come back? Why am I trying to guess if it will be soon as I read through this apocalyptic chapter? I don't know. We're called to prepare, but I don't think that necessarily means to be standing at the door with coat on and suitcase in hand. There's too much work left to be done here on earth. Let's just get through that first, please.
2. "Who here qualifies for the job of overseeing the kitchen?" (Matthew 24:45) - Again, Jesus answers his own question: "A person the Master can depend on to feed the workers on time each day." This kind of goes along with the last question. We're called to be "vigilant," to be doing what we're supposed to be doing at any point. We don't need to worry about the apocalypse unless we're not doing what we're supposed to be doing. That's when we'll end up in trouble.
3. "Why are you giving this woman a hard time?" (Matthew 26:10) - I feel like now I'm starting to get into territory I covered in the spring but, hey, it's good territory. However, looking at it in the context of the passage I just read makes it a little more interesting. Jesus tells the parable of the separation of the sheep and the goats. The sheep are rewarded for feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the imprisoned, and helping the sick; the goats are punished for ignoring the less forunate. So, the disciples, if this story is told chronologically, just heard this tale and want to spend the money spent on perfume for hte poor. How isn't that commendable? They're starting to get it. But I guess since they don't really understand what's coming, they miss the symbolic nature of the act: the burial anointing of Christ.
   

Again with the Questions! Again!

1. "Do you think you can worm your way out of this? Never have to pay the piper?" (Matthew 23:33) - Jesus is really letting the Pharisees have it. Still. It's crazy, it's relentless. It's also not good for the Pharisees. However, I have to wonder: can't they worm their way out of it? Isn't grace available to them as well? Or perhaps they have hardened their hearts against it and it's themselves that's in their own way. I guess all we can really know is that Christ has it out for the pretentiously religious, the faith facades.
   
2. "What is there left to say?" (Matthew 23:38) - Jesus is winding down here and evidently there's not a lot to say that hasn't been said before. As he puts it, through "prophets and wise guides and scholars generation after generation." So, not much, J, not much.
3. "You're not impressed by all this sheer size, are you?" (Matthew 24:2) - Right after Jesus finishes his diatribe his disciples start admiring the Temple's architecture. This leads into the infamous Matthew 24, a happy chapter with lots of good things happening (not really). Jesus does want us to remember, however, that the Temple is man-made and man-made things are not going to make it through. It's God's eternal stuff that will be around forever, and not coincedentally, the stuff that counts.
   

Back to the Questions

1. "What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?" (Matthew 22:41-42) - Now it's Jesus' turn, Pharisees, so you best watch yo'self. This passage shows exactly how a well-aimed question can really shut people up. Because they answer that the Christ is David's son, by deduction he must be David's master as well. I guess this took aim at the literalists in the crowd, but it was the end of the Pharisees questioning Christ. Then again, it might have led to Christ's death, but that's all part of the plan too :)
2. "Do you want to stand out?" (Matthew 23:11) - I think it's important to follow this up with the answer: "Then step down. Be a servant." If we are truly following God, our lives will be a cry for simplicity, for contentedness with who we are and our position in life, maybe even a lower position in life as that's where servants generally reside. It's when we try to be something we're not that we run into trouble.
3. "Do you have any idea how silly you look, writing a life story that's wrong from start to finish, nitpicking over commas and semicolons?" (Matthew 23:24) - Jesus is really on about legalism today and it's quite apparent. This is one of those places where we see what it really means to be in a relationship and not be apart of religion. Religion is bean-counting, keeping track of pluses and minuses. A relationship with Christ is built on doing what will make him happy, mainly showing him honor, respect, and thankfulness and treating the rest of your fellow humans as you want to be treated. I see some strong words for the Church in this chapter, especially a lot of "Christian" schools, one of the strongest centers for legalism there is. It's amazing to me that in our quests to be more Christian, we can get it so wrong sometimes. Luckily this is a subject that is spelled out in plain language here in the Bible. Mmmm, tastes good.
   

Again with the Questions!

1. "Now, when the owner of the vineyard arrives home from his trip, what do you think he will do to the farmhands?" (Matthew 21:40) - Jesus has just finished a parable here and is going about explaining it to the Pharisees. You can hear their excitement when they answer, "He'll kill them--a rotten bunch, and good riddance!" But they're the rotten bunch and don't even know it. They do get it by the end of the story and end up looking pretty dumb. Go figure.
2. "Why are you playing these games with me? Why are you trying to trap me? Do you have a coin?" (Matthew 22:18-19) - This is from the famous "Render unto Caesar what is Caesar's" where the Pharisees and co. get a viscious verbal pummeling when their ambush goes south. You do have to give it to them for trying though, they just aren't going to get very far.
   
3. "And regarding your speculation on whether the dead are raised or not, don't you read your Bibles?" (Matthew 22:30) - This time the Sadducees think it's a good idea to trick Jesus. Wah-rong! Jesus has some harsh words for them. As it's been said, "A little learning is a dangerous thing," and this is a clear case of it. They know enough of the Bible to take something away, but it's not the right thing! As with them it is with us, we need to read if we're going to get the right message.
   

Questions

1. "What do you want from me?" (Matthew 20:32) - So, Jesus is leaving Jericho with a big crowd and hears two blind beggars yelling, "Master, have mercy on us! Mercy, Son of David!" Jesus responds to their calls and asks the above question. Their answer is that they want to see again. Jesus is "deeply moved" and instantly restores their sight. It's kind of amazing to me, just how simple their faith is. It's not caught up in the why's or what's or where's, just the who: who Jesus is, the son of God. And that's what moves Jesus, that they simply know who he is and respond to him. And he responds back. Simply profound.
2. "And haven't you read in God's word, 'From the mouths of children and babies I'll furnish a place of praise'?" (Matthew 21:16) - This reminds me of a favorite moment, perhaps in another Gospel, where the Pharisees try to shut up the people praising Jesus during his triumphant entrance to Jerusalem. Jesus' response is simple: if the people weren't singing, the rocks and trees would open up with praise. Moving on to this question, I might be reading more into it than is intended but I'm going to go with it anyways: "furnish a place of praise" is an interesting image. The praises of the young are going to adorn the Temple, make it an inviting place to hang out in. I suppose this is Jesus' way of reminding us of the importance of having our children in worship with us. But then again, furnish can mean something along the lines of making something. Now I'm confused :)
3. "About the baptism of John--who authorized it: heaven or humans?" (Matthew 21:25) - Jesus is a tricky fellow and he shows it with this question. He's teaching in the Temple and the Pharisees corner him with questioning of his credentials. He responds with a question that traps the Pharisees. "Humans" would set them against the population who loved John; "Heaven" would call into question why they ignored him. So, by not answering Jesus gets off free from his question. I don't quite get that, might be a Hebrew cultural thing perhaps.
   

Prodigal Questions

1. "Why do you question me about what's good?" (Matthew 19:17) - This is an interesting question. A man asks Jesus what he must do to get into the Kingdom of Heaven and this is how Jesus answers. Jesus' next statement is that "God is the One who is good." I find this interesting because of the separation that Jesus puts between himself and God. Maybe this is part of his not really letting everyone know who he is deal, which I also don't get.
2. "Do you have any idea how difficult it is for the rich to enter God's kingdom?" (Matthew 19:23) - Very, evidently. This is a scary cautionary tale for me. I don't consider myself rich, but I do have stuff. Stuff that has the very possibility of making me a little too bulky to get through the narrow gate of the Kingdom. Was Jesus being hyperbolic here? Do I need to get rid of everything to be ready? I don't really know. However, I think it's also possible to own property and not be owned by property. And perhaps that's what the man's problem was, he was owned, not the owner. Or pwned.
3. "What do you want?" (Matthew 20:21) - I smile when I read this one. Some question, eh? James and John's mother comes to Jesus with a request, that her sons sit at his right and left hand in heaven. Now, there is some faith in this request because it shows an understanding of who Jesus is, but it's still a bit presumptious. So, Jesus response is kind of fitting if you ask me.
   

Introducing Megan!

Last night I was talking to my good friend Megan and from what she was saying, it sounded like she might be a person who might benefit from the mighty spiritual exercise that is the dLog. So, I invited her. Let me do some introductions:

Megan Lutz is a med student at Medical College of Ohio in Toledo, Ohio. When she isn't buried under a mountain of school work she enjoys outdoor activities such as rock climbing, running, and hiking. She is also a seeker of fine literature and movies in addition to being an avid salsa dancer.

Ben George is a Youth/Camp Director at Christ Presbyterian Church in Canton, Ohio. An English major/theater minor graduated from Kent State University, Ben also has an interest in the finer arts, including Firefly/Serenity which just makes him an all-around good guy. He is engaged to be married to a wonderful girl named Kate next April.

The errant Joel Harris is also a Youth Director for the Chapel in Green, Ohio. Joel has a love for the outdoors that stems from his father's interest and also Boy Scouts. He enjoys backpacking, canoeing, rock climbing, and running primarily. When not doing any of that stuff, he has a passion for pornography (well, ending addictions to it) and Africa.

Matt Wiggins is the lead singer of the phenomenal pop sensation Si6x. Besides just being another pretty face, he's a frequent contributor to the New Yorker's cartoon section and often competes in Stamford, CT's annual crossword competition (he has placed 6th, 7th, and 5th in recent years). In addition to all of that, he is working on his culinary degree and hopes to open a wildly successful penguin themed restaurant in SoHo in the next 5 years, owed largely to his fame in the popular culture.