The Most Important Question

What is the most important question every person needs to ask and answer?
What do you believe?
What happens when you die?

Jesus tried to help a man discover the most important question. I don't think that man understood what Jesus was trying to do. This is normal for all of us. It is easier for us to get caught up in the most pressing problem, challenge or fear that we are facing at any given moment. It is easier for us to push off or shrug off the most important question that each person has to ask and answer in their life time.

Let's look at this encounter with Jesus.

"As Jesus was starting out on his way to Jerusalem, a man came running up to him, knelt down, and asked, 'Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?'

'Why do you call me good?' Jesus asked. 'No one is good—except God alone.'" Mark 10:17-18

Is the question this rich young ruler asked, the most important question? How did Jesus respond? Did He say, "Well, that's a very good question. In fact, you have asked the most important question in life."

Look at Jesus' response. "Why do you call me good?" Why did Jesus instead answer with a question about himself? What was Jesus trying to do?

Jesus was trying to help this man understand what the most important question in the world is. It has to do with Jesus. With this man's religious and cultural background, I believe Jesus was trying to help this man discover that the most important question is, "Who is Jesus?" Is Jesus truly good? Is Jesus truly God? 
Yes, this man's question about how do I inherit eternal life is right on track to being the most important question. If he knew who Jesus truly was, he would know his answer.

As we enter the Easter season, let's put this most important question at the forefront of our thoughts. Maybe we can spend time each day, thinking, reading Scriptures, contemplating and worshiping Jesus around this question. 
Maybe we can ask others their thoughts about this question. Maybe we can ask our spouses, children, grand children the following questions. Maybe we can ask our friends, co-workers, neighbors and even strangers the following questions.

Who do you think your favorite sports hero thinks Jesus is?
Who do you think your favorite politician thinks Jesus is?
Who do you think your favorite Hollywood actor thinks Jesus is?

Be a student and truly listen to what they have to say.

Then shift the question from what do others think about Jesus to, what do they think about Jesus.

Who do you think Jesus is?
Why do you think that?

Be a loving friend by being a student of their responses to your questions.

Who knows how Jesus will move during these most important conversations?
At least, this Easter season, your family will be thanking you for talking about the most important question every human being must ask and answer. Who is Jesus?

Praying for a wonderful Easter season,
Pastor Chris