When you’re around for 24 years, you learn some stuff… Don’t stick that metal think in the socket that looks like a happy face. Don’t touch a hot stove. Don’t associate with the wrong people. The bank might loan more than you can truly afford to pay back. Here’s a big one: I don’t know everything. I have come to learn this very well on my own. I have also come to learn it because anyone over a certain age likes to remind anyone under that certain age how naive they are. If I’m honest, being reminded of that has proved itself very helpful to me many times over the years. I am grateful for those who lovingly remind me that I am a fool in need of grace. Many people, however, aren’t so graceful and often the only thing revealed about them is their insecurity.

But what happens when an individual(despite age) has legitimate questions and needs someone older or wiser to invest energy in helping that person sort through things?

This post is meant to draw attention to two men who showed a great love by answering some difficult questions: Luke and John.

In the first section of the Gospel of Luke, he writes this in regards to a questioning audience: “..it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.”

The book of 1 John(written by John.. cool, huh?) comes to an end by saying this: “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life. And this is the confidence that we have toward Him, that if we ask anything according to His will He hears us.”

These men were faced with difficult questions. A response wasn’t fully necessary, much less an entire book! But these men walked with Christ. They knew Him. They were known by Him. More than likely, John was well over the age of 90 when he penned his gospel. Aren’t you glad John didn’t pull the age card with his younger readers?

Whether we run across someone looking for dialogue about even the most controversial topics of scripture or someone looking for answers after they tragically lose their child, we are called to respond in love. It’s popular to have the mindset of let’s just love ’em! But, if we aren’t pointing people towards the life-giving Gospel of Jesus, are we loving? A hot meal, a cool drink, a nice gesture is kind and could do such good for the soul.. but our deepest need in our darkest hour is the Good news that Jesus has conquered death and offered us life.

Even in my search for all the answers to the worlds problems, I realize that sometimes the best answer truly is “I don’t know.” But sometimes answers aren’t too far out of reach. We end up hiding behind cliches: “we just will have to figure that out when we get to heaven” or “because He’s God!” I can rejoice in the answer “because He’s God”. There are many though who have no understanding of God’s sovereignty or goodness or mercy in our lives. That sort of answer may do more harm than good when it only comes as an excuse for our lack of knowledge or interest in God’s Word.

May we devote ourselves to studying God’s Word so that we might be prepared to serve people with what they need most, the truth of a Savior. Found in his Word. For his glory. Not our own.