SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1235

“Final Answer”

He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” – Matthew 16:15

• A Good Man
• A prophet like Mohammed
• The Messiah, The Son of the living God
• The spirit brother of Satan

What is your final answer?

In a popular television show contestants were quizzed with increasingly difficult multiple-choice questions and answers. The host always gave them an ‘out’ asking, ‘Is that your final answer?’ The host’s question seemed to do more harm than good in that it worked to shake the confidence the contestant had in their answer.

By some estimates, Jesus asked over 300 questions as recorded in the Scripture. What is your final answer to some of His questions?

Do you want to be healed?

One man was there who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?” The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me.” Jesus said to him, “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.” – John 5:5-8

Jesus asks us, ‘Do you want to be healed?’

• The doctor says it is terminal.
• The medicine makes me sick.
• Yes, Lord, I want to be healed. Make me whole in Jesus’ Name – Amen.
• I got this. I’m going to take care of it myself.

The Lord sustains him on his sickbed; in his illness you restore him to full health. – Psalm 41:3

Why did you doubt?

And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So, Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” – Matthew 14:28-31

Jesus asks us why we doubt Him?

• I don’t know You well enough to trust You.
• My biological father failed me before and I have trust issues.
• I want to be in control.
• I was afraid.
• Any or all of the above.

So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” – Hebrews 13:6

Will you leave Me also?

After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. So, Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” – John 6:66-67

Jesus asks us ‘Will you leave Me?’

• These are tough times, I think You left me!
• I see professing Christians sinning like everybody else. I want no part of hypocrisy.
• I was hurt by someone in the church.
• No, Lord. I will never leave You.

Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life – John 6:68

It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” – Deuteronomy 31:8

Do You Love Me?

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” … – John 21:15

Jesus asks us if we love Him.

• Of course, I do. Look at all the good works I do.
• I attend church often.
• Define love.
• Yes, Lord, I love You. You bore the punishment for my sins and clothed me in Your righteousness that I may have eternal life. I do love You, my Lord and Savior!

If you love me, you will keep my commandments: And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” – John 14:15; Mark 12:30-31

What is written in Scripture?

And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.” – Luke 10:25-28

Jesus asks us ‘What is written in Scripture about eternal life?’

• I only know what I am told by the preacher.
• I don’t have time to read and study the Word.
• I don’t have a Bible.
• “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” – Acts 16:31

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. – John 14:6

Jesus’ questions recorded in scripture are still valid questions to us today. If we are honest with ourselves, our answers may be nothing more than an excuse. May your final answer to all of Jesus’ questions be rooted in the unshakeable confidence you have in Him and in His Word of Truth.