When Silence Speaks Louder: Responding to Skeptical Questions Like Jesus
Not all questions deserve an answer. Skeptical questions or questions caused by unbelief are better left unanswered because the questioners are not seeking the truth but aiming for self-validation.
Such is the question raised by the Pharisees to Jesus in Mark 8 verses 11 to 13. Instead of seeking a genuine desire to understand the person and work of Christ, their question emerged from a hardened heart and a refusal to accept Jesus' identity despite the many miracles He has already performed.
My plain reading of the Bible informs me that Pharisees have been instituted in the first place to serve the purpose of the Torah, which end is to lead to the Messiah. As such, this religious institution failed to achieve the very reason for its existence and formation. Elsewhere we are informed that instead of fulfilling the purpose of the creation of the religious institution, the minds and hearts of the Pharisees were captivated by the love of money and the search for people's approval (Luke 16:14-15).
A Sign from Heaven
Mark 8 verses 11 to 13 tell us about the Pharisees asking Jesus for a sign from heaven. Analyzing the character of this question, we could come up with the following observations:
The question exposes the character of the questioners.
The question assumes a low view of Christ.
The question is self-conscious and capricious.
And above all, the question was ideologically driven.
The Pharisees view themselves as the judge, the benchmark, the validator of what is true and what is not. Jesus with all his miracles and teachings did not pass their criteria. He has to undergo the "ultimate test," which is to provide the sign from heaven.
Jesus knew that no amount of sign could convince these people because their hearts were closed to the truth. And that is why Jesus warned his disciples to be careful and watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees (Mark 8:15).
The word "yeast" in the above text was used as a metaphor representing the corrupting influence of the Pharisees. A yeast even in small quantity can affect the whole dough. As such, the mindset of the Pharisees could influence people to move away from genuine faith and a true relationship with God.
The key insight from the above narrative is how we respond to a question that undermines the person of Christ.
First, it is natural for the followers of Christ to be disappointed with such a question. Jesus himself "sighed deeply" indicating His disappointment over the persistent unbelief of the Pharisees.
Second, as already mentioned, not all questions deserve a reply. Jesus responded to their question with another question:
Why does this generation ask for a miraculous sign? I tell you the truth, no sign will be given to it (Mark 8:12).
It is not because Jesus could not produce such a sign. Jesus knows that if even a sign from heaven would be given, these people would persist in their unbelief.
Lastly, instead of wasting your time responding to those questions coming from unbelief, you better focus on accomplishing your mission in life. Jesus himself left the Pharisees, got back into the boat, and crossed to the other side.
In short, we learn from Mark 8:11-13 that skeptical questions rooted in unbelief and self-validation do not merit a response, as genuine truth-seeking is missing.
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