August 7, 2025

Dear Central Church,

Did you know that Jesus asked 307 questions in the Gospels? That’s a lot of questions, significantly more than were asked of him! Like a good teacher, he had a preference for prompting reflection and deeper thought through asking the right questions.

As we think about the beginning of a new school year, I’m drawn to this posture of Jesus to ask questions. He was God in the flesh, and yet took the position of a learner. I read a poem this week that underscores the importance of asking the right questions:

Truly, we live with mysteries too marvelous to be understood…

Let me keep my distance, always, from those who think they have the answers.

Let me keep company always with those who say

"Look!" and laugh in astonishment, and bow their heads. - Mary Oliver, American Poet

Over the next few weeks, I’ll be preaching a new sermon series entitled “The Questions of Jesus." It’s a walk through the Gospels that invites us to listen anew to the questions Jesus asks. Sometimes he answers them, but most of the time he leaves them unanswered. We should pay close attention to the things that pique the curiosity of Jesus.

I hope that we develop a holy curiosity that doesn’t rush to easy or cliché answers but is patient to look into the deep mysteries of God and linger in awe and wonder. There is a lot that Jesus clearly answers in his life, death, and resurrection, but perhaps the journey into a deeper walk with God is not memorizing all the right answers but learning to ask the right questions.

I look forward to seeing you on Sunday as we begin this journey together!

With Holy Curiosity,
Pastor Mark