A Note from Hixon Frank
Hey Church,
When I asked my counselor to share some best practices for “pastoral counseling,” his response came back, “Just ask good questions and let them share.”
“Ok…” I responded.
He went on to say, “Let them share their lies, their justifications, and their rationalizations.
“Harsh,” I thought, “but fair.”
“When people say it out loud, sin just sounds different. It is harder to justify and tends to cut through the rationalization and bias towards making themselves the ‘good guys’ in the story. Then, let your silence demand they keep ‘unpacking’ till they come to the truth. It’s what God does in the Bible,” he asserted.
“Wait, what!?” I responded, “It’s what God does in the Bible? Ok, you have my attention.”
My counselor then went on to explain that the Bible is full of questions that God asks us! HE poses these questions to real people, in real situations…
They can be a straightforward …
- Where are you? (Genesis 3:1-13)
- What are you doing here? (1 Kings 19)
- What are you looking for? (John 1:19-38)
- What is that in your hand? (Exodus 4:1-4)
They can also be layered and penetrating…
- Why do you call Me good? (Mark 10:18)
- Do you think I came to bring peace? (Luke 12:49-53)
- What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses his soul? (Matthew 16:24)
- What is your life? (James 4:14)
- Who do you say that I am? (Mark 8:27-29)
- Do you want to get well? (John 5:1-9)
- Why are you crying? (John 20:11-18)
- Do you understand what I have done for you? (John 13)
You get the idea…
I was reminded of the interaction above as I read Matthew 26 last week in my Bible reading. It is the familiar story of Jesus’ betrayal in the Garden. It is the Wednesday of Holy Week and marks a turning point in the Gospel narrative.
Matthew 26:47-50
While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, suddenly arrived. A large mob with swords and clubs was with him from the chief priests and elders of the people. His betrayer had given them a sign: “The one I kiss, he’s the one; arrest him.” So immediately he went up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him. “Friend,” Jesus asked him, “why have you come?”
Jesus knew why Judas was there as just hours before, He told the disciples it was Judas who would betray Him! But Jesus asks the question anyway! “Judas why have you come?” This question wasn’t for Jesus’ benefit, but for Judas to have to answer that question. Interestingly, if you read Matthew’s narrative, you will notice that Judas never does answer.
We do the same thing sometimes, don’t we?
We simply won’t answer when Jesus asks us “Why have you come?” Sin weaves its way into our hearts, and we begin to rationalize and justify our behavior. We tell ourselves we are the “good guys” in our own “creative” narrative. Even Judas, who was clearly the “bad guy” in this story, probably did not see himself in that light. I cannot help but think that in his own mind he was, perhaps, the “good guy.” He may have even said to himself, “I will give a portion of these 30 pieces of silver to charity,” or “I will please the Jewish leaders,” or “I will turn Jesus in, but the authorities will let him go afterwards.” Etc, etc, etc…
We have an amazing capacity to justify, rationalize, and dismiss our own sin, don’t we?
So, when Jesus asks Judas “why have you come?” he is also asking us the same question. We may never visit the Garden of Gethsemane where this story took place, but we do approach Jesus. We do come before Him, and we are asked the question, “WHY HAVE YOU COME?”
“Why HAVE you come?”
- Is it for attention?
- Is it to be seen as a good person?
- Is it because it’s good for business?
- Is it for status or position?
Or is it because you are broken, needy, and repentant?
I suspect that all of the reasons above have been “our reasons” at some point! But answering honestly the question, “Why have you come?” will show you where your heart lies and cut through all of the justifying, hypocrisy, and disappointment.
So….Why have you come?
You are loved and have been prayed for,
Hixon