What Happens When We Ask the Wrong Questions?

What do you ask when God himself walks ahead of you? Imagine the scene: Jesus is striding toward Jerusalem, a man on a mission, while the disciples trail behind, amazed and fearful. They've seen His power and heard His warnings, but when He speaks of His upcoming death, they remain silent, not daring to ask the questions that should be on their minds. In this pivotal moment from Mark 10:32-52, we discover the danger of unanswered questions and the profound wisdom found in asking the right ones.

Jesus, in his journey towards Jerusalem, is not simply moving from one place to another; He is walking toward the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan for humanity. Yet, as He strides ahead, leading the way, we find His disciples, amazed but silent, grappling with the gravity of what He has told them. This passage, as we explore its verses, will challenge us to reflect on how we approach the questions that arise in our lives, especially those related to God, our faith, and our understanding of His will.

Verses 32-34: No Asking, But There Should Have Been

As we open the passage, we are immediately struck by the disciples' silence. Jesus is walking toward Jerusalem, knowing that His death awaits. In verse 32, it says, "Now they were on the road going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking on ahead of them; and they were amazed, and those who followed were fearful." These two emotions—amazement and fear—grip the disciples as they follow Jesus on this final journey.

Imagine being in their shoes: they've seen Jesus perform miracles—He has walked on water, raised the dead, fed thousands with a handful of fish and loaves, and forgiven sins—yet when He speaks of His imminent suffering and death, they are left speechless. He had already told them that He would be betrayed, mocked, scourged, and killed, but the reality of these words was beyond their comprehension.

Despite this grave revelation, they don't ask questions. They don't inquire into the details of the very plan that will save them. How is it that they don’t ask? After all, the Son of God was standing before them, explaining the most profound mystery of salvation, yet they remained silent. Their silence reflects a deeper issue: the failure to ask when the opportunity is right in front of them.

Jesus had just revealed His upcoming death, the most significant event in history, and the disciples’ response is not one of curiosity, but of confusion and fear. They failed to ask the very questions that would have clarified the path ahead. How could the Messiah, the Savior, die? How could the Jews reject their King? How would the Gentiles be involved in this act of violence? These are the questions that should have been asked.

When we are confronted with the mysteries of God’s plan—whether it’s about election, the resurrection, or even the nature of heaven—are we bold enough to ask? Too often, we remain silent, content with our confusion, when we have direct access to the One who holds the answers. As we reflect on this, we must ask ourselves: what questions have we left unasked? Are we willing to approach God with our doubts and seek understanding? Jesus wants us to ask, because nothing is more important than understanding His work on the cross.

Verses 35-45: Asking with the Wrong Motive

In the next part of the passage, we see another form of asking, but this time, it’s with the wrong motive. James and John, two of Jesus’ closest disciples, approach Him with a request: "Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask of You" (v. 35). This may seem like a bold, even faithful request, but Jesus’ response uncovers the selfishness behind it.

"Grant us that we may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on Your left, in Your glory" (v. 37). James and John, despite their faith in Jesus’ power, have misunderstood the nature of His kingdom. They envision a worldly kingdom, where status and power are the ultimate goals. They are asking for positions of honor, for places of prominence in the coming glory. But this is not the kind of kingdom Jesus is bringing.

Their question is rooted in ambition. They want to be "somebody." They seek recognition, not understanding. Their desire to sit at the right and left hand of Jesus is not about serving Him, but about elevating themselves. They believe that being close to Jesus means being exalted above others. In their request, there is a dangerous mixture of faith and arrogance, belief and selfishness.

Jesus, recognizing their misunderstanding, asks them a probing question: "Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?" (v. 38). Here, Jesus is pointing to the suffering and death He will endure, symbolized by the cup of suffering He must drink. He is offering them a chance to consider whether they are willing to pay the price of true discipleship. They boldly respond, "We can." But do they understand what they are saying?

Indeed, both James and John would later experience suffering for their faith. James would be martyred by Herod, and John would endure years of exile. But even in their willingness to suffer, they still do not understand the true nature of greatness in God’s kingdom. It is not about positions of power or prestige; it is about service and sacrifice.

Jesus then teaches them a crucial lesson: "But to sit at My right hand or at My left is not Mine to give; but it is for those for whom it has been prepared" (v. 40). Here, Jesus reveals that the positions of honor in His kingdom are not given based on ambition or self-promotion but according to God’s sovereign will. In His kingdom, greatness is not defined by status but by service.

When we approach God with requests, we must examine our motives. Are we asking to serve, or are we asking to be served? Are we seeking God’s glory, or our own? The right kind of asking begins with a heart that desires to honor God, not to elevate ourselves.

Verses 46-52: Asking with the Right Heart

Finally, in the closing verses of the chapter, we see an example of right asking. As Jesus and His disciples approach Jericho, they encounter a blind man named Bartimaeus. When he hears that Jesus is passing by, he begins to cry out, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" (v. 47). The crowd rebukes him, but Bartimaeus refuses to be silenced. He cries out all the more.

Jesus stops and calls him over, asking the same question He had asked James and John earlier: "What do you want Me to do for you?" (v. 51). This question is simple, yet profound. Unlike James and John, Bartimaeus does not ask for honor or status. He does not seek glory or prestige. He asks for mercy. "Rabboni, I want to regain my sight" (v. 51). And Jesus, moved by compassion, heals him, saying, "Go; your faith has made you well" (v. 52).

Bartimaeus’ request is an example of the right kind of asking. He asks with humility, recognizing his need for mercy. His request is not self-centered but focused on God’s power to heal and restore. His faith is evident in his persistence and in his willingness to approach Jesus, despite the opposition of the crowd.

This is the kind of asking that Jesus desires from us: humble, persistent, and focused on His will. When we ask with a heart that seeks God’s mercy and grace, we position ourselves to receive His blessings. The beauty of this passage is that, unlike James and John, who were blinded by their ambition, Bartimaeus saw clearly that true greatness lies not in positions of power but in receiving God’s mercy and grace.

Conclusion: The Power of Right Asking

In Mark 10:32-52, we are confronted with different forms of asking: the silence of the disciples, the misguided ambition of James and John, and the humble plea of Bartimaeus. Each of these examples offers us a lesson in how we approach God with our requests.

Jesus calls us to ask—not out of arrogance or selfish ambition, but with humility and faith. He invites us to bring our questions, our doubts, and our desires to Him, trusting that He will answer according to His perfect will. The key to right asking is recognizing that God’s kingdom is not about elevating ourselves but about serving others and honoring God.

As we reflect on this passage, let us examine our own hearts. Are we asking the right questions? Are we asking with the right motives? And most importantly, are we asking with a heart that seeks God’s will above all else?

May we, like Bartimaeus, approach Jesus with a heart full of faith, persistently seeking His mercy and grace, trusting that in asking, we will find the answers that lead to life.

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