Do you have questions?

Thomas C. Asher

I often think how great it would be to ask Jesus a few questions, face to face. I wouldn't try to stump him as the Pharisees did. I would just ask a few simple questions like the ones the Bible tells us people asked him when he was on earth.

For instance, in the Gospel of John we hear that one time a crowd of people followed Christ Jesus up a mountain where he had gone with his disciples. Jesus asked his disciple Philip where they could buy bread to feed so many people. He was testing Philip to see what he would say. Philip answered that even a large amount of money would buy only a little bread for each. Then Andrew, another disciple, pointed out that one boy in the crowd had brought five loaves and two fish, but he added, "What are they among so many?"^{John 6:9;}

Andrew's question sounds like some of mine. "How can God supply my needs?" "What can I do with my limited intelligence and talents?"

Jesus answered Andrew's question in a way that answers my own. He answered with action. He said, "Make the men sit down. John describes what happened then: "Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would."^{vv. 10, 11;} Jesus turned to God in gratitude. He did not ask for more bread or fish. He did not acknowledge lack. But by distributing the food he proved that God always supplies enough for everyone, and all were fed and satisfied.

Jesus' actions provide a complete answer to my question about God and supply. I can turn to God, the source of all good, as Jesus did. I can thank God for the supply already at hand. I can disbelieve evidence that would try to convince me of lack. Then I can act as possessing enough of whatever is necessary— including intelligence and talent. Then surely my needs will all be met, just as those people's were so long ago.

There are other questions you might wish you could ask Jesus. Perhaps your brothers or sisters have made you angry, and you may wonder, "Should I forgive them again?" The disciple Peter once asked Jesus a similar question: "How oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?"^{Matt. 18:21, 22;} Jesus' answer was, "Until seventy times seven," an indication of endless forgiveness. Doesn't that also apply to you?

What other questions might you have?

Whatever they may be, you will find answers by studying the Bible, along with Science and Health by Mary Baker Eddy.

It's good to ask questions. Mrs. Eddy asks some in her writings as well as answering many. Here's one: "God is Love. Can we ask Him to be more?"^{Science and Health, p. 2.} You can answer that one easily! God loves each one of us dearly, and He provides us with an inexhaustible supply both of right ideas and the inspiration to put them to use—everything we may need. God has already answered our questions, and we can find His answers in the Bible.

[Healing experiences in Sentinel articles for children as well as adults are carefully verified.]

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