When You Don’t Have The Answer

Sometime ago when Judy and I were visiting our grandkids in Colorado, I found myself helping Wynter with her homework. I thought to myself as I was trying to figure out the answer to her math problem that years ago, homework used to be a lot simpler. I concluded that I have forgotten more than I learned from my school days. Wynter asked me a few questions and she expected answers from her grandfather. Now, I’m seasoned and have been around the block a few times. I should know the answers to her questions. However, I had no clue. So, I had a sudden coughing attack and then remembered a call I needed to make. Those were great diversions. They worked for a short time. Returning to the kitchen table, I told Wynter I don’t know the answers to her questions. She responded by saying, “Why don’t we Google?” She was right. We may not know the answers but we have a source for the answers. In this case, it’s Google.

I hope you are a Christ-follower who wants others to know the Savior. But you may have a problem; you’re afraid of their questions. You know Jesus; you have a personal relationship with him, but you are afraid you won’t know the answers to their questions. This is not a reason to retreat. Like a grandparent using Google to find answers to your grandchild’s questions, you may not know the answers to the spiritual questions that are asked, but you have the source of the answers. The Bible says, "Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God" (I Cor. 1:24). Your job isn't to have all the answers.  Your job is to point people to the One who does have all the answers – Jesus Christ.

The Apostle Paul was a scholar trained in the finest schools of his day. He had a scholar’s mind who could craft a case that was hard to refute. Paul was a man who knew a lot of answers. He emphatically tells us we need to know what he writes in I Cor. 2:2, “I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified." Every person Paul came in contact with he pointed to Jesus and to the cross where He died for all their sins.

I don't have the answers for racism, poverty, and suffering in our country and our world, but I do know a Savior who entered into our suffering and troubles when He came to planet earth. He lived as a poor man, a homeless man, and died to defeat the ultimate generator of human suffering; that is human sin. It's all about Jesus. I don't have all the answers about why someone you love died.  I only know that God knows the feelings of grief and loss that well up inside of you. He watched His Son murdered on a cross. It's all about Jesus. I can't explain why there are hypocrites in the church and why some have done horrible things in Christ’s name, but I do know what Jesus said, "Follow Me" not "Follow My followers." It's all about Jesus.

That's why you can have confidence to tell your friends and family members about Jesus, even if you don’t know all the answers. Our goal is pointing others to Him. We'll never know all the answers. We need to know the One who does; who is the Answer. It's all about Jesus.

Pastor Jeff