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What Seek Ye? How the Questions of Jesus Lead Us to Him
From a young age and throughout His ministry, Jesus Christ asked questions: deep questions, thought-provoking questions. He asked questions of future Apostles and the Samaritan woman, of those who didn't believe and those seeking miracles.
We often think of our relationship with God in terms of us being the questioner approaching the great Answerer. But what if He is actually the great Questioner, and we are intended to wrestle—not to receive the answers from Him, but to give them? Bestselling author S. Michael Wilcox teaches, "How we answer those questions tells our Father in Heaven much about us, as well as revealing ourselves to ourselves." Over time, Wilcox has also learned, "If I am the Answerer and God the Questioner and I can answer His questions with thought and devotion, then my own inquiries to Him are significantly diminished." As you explore these short yet profound questions, you'll learn more about the Savior and more about yourself, discovering personal answers along the way.
We often think of our relationship with God in terms of us being the questioner approaching the great Answerer. But what if He is actually the great Questioner, and we are intended to wrestle—not to receive the answers from Him, but to give them? Bestselling author S. Michael Wilcox teaches, "How we answer those questions tells our Father in Heaven much about us, as well as revealing ourselves to ourselves." Over time, Wilcox has also learned, "If I am the Answerer and God the Questioner and I can answer His questions with thought and devotion, then my own inquiries to Him are significantly diminished." As you explore these short yet profound questions, you'll learn more about the Savior and more about yourself, discovering personal answers along the way.
160 pages, Hardcover
Published January 1, 2020
44 people are currently reading
369 people want to read
About the author
S. Michael Wilcox
53 books143 followersS. Michael Wilcox is an instructor at the institute of religion adjacent to the University of Utah. A frequent speaker at Brigham Young University Education Week, Michael also conducts tours of the Holy Land, Church history sites, Europe, China, and Central America. He received a bachelor’s degree in English literature from Brigham Young University, a master’s in media from the University of Arizona, and his Ph.D. from the University of Colorado in educational philosophy. He is the author of House of Glory and When Your Prayers Seem Unanswered.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 112 reviews
August 24, 2020
Completely amazed by this book.
This is an excellent life resource. You could study it several times and get more out of it. Two points that stood out to me:
1. Discussion of Christ’s higher law versus the last of Moses. Do we simply obey the letter or do we follow Christ? Of course we’ve heard this point discussed many times but the examples he gives made me look at it a different way. For example, a friend at school was unkind to my own daughter and hurt her feelings. My daughter could have just forgiven her (letter) but instead she reached out and mended bridges (Christ) even though she didn’t need to.
2. How hard we are on ourselves. He relays the story of giving a blessing to his son. He couldn’t even complete the blessing because of his overwhelming sorrow for what his son was experiencing. Times that by trillions and we simply cannot comprehend how Christ felt as he suffered for each of us. He would not want us to look at our lives and be critical of who we are, but to return to him ask again and again forgiveness because he forgives us seventh times seven for infinity. He knows how we feel and has that compassion for us.
3. I loved how the author shares of his joy over the prospect of being reunited with his wife again. He relates a story from the end of Louisa May Alcott’s life when she was taking care of her I’ll father. Her father tells of the joy he feels to be passing on to the peace of the next life and wishes she could join him. She was ill as well and did end up with him very soon.
It is clear the author has learned valuable wisdom in his life that he shares in this book. That’s my favorite way to learn, hearing authors’ personal experience shared in such a loving way. Highly recommend!
This is an excellent life resource. You could study it several times and get more out of it. Two points that stood out to me:
1. Discussion of Christ’s higher law versus the last of Moses. Do we simply obey the letter or do we follow Christ? Of course we’ve heard this point discussed many times but the examples he gives made me look at it a different way. For example, a friend at school was unkind to my own daughter and hurt her feelings. My daughter could have just forgiven her (letter) but instead she reached out and mended bridges (Christ) even though she didn’t need to.
2. How hard we are on ourselves. He relays the story of giving a blessing to his son. He couldn’t even complete the blessing because of his overwhelming sorrow for what his son was experiencing. Times that by trillions and we simply cannot comprehend how Christ felt as he suffered for each of us. He would not want us to look at our lives and be critical of who we are, but to return to him ask again and again forgiveness because he forgives us seventh times seven for infinity. He knows how we feel and has that compassion for us.
3. I loved how the author shares of his joy over the prospect of being reunited with his wife again. He relates a story from the end of Louisa May Alcott’s life when she was taking care of her I’ll father. Her father tells of the joy he feels to be passing on to the peace of the next life and wishes she could join him. She was ill as well and did end up with him very soon.
It is clear the author has learned valuable wisdom in his life that he shares in this book. That’s my favorite way to learn, hearing authors’ personal experience shared in such a loving way. Highly recommend!
December 21, 2020
Any book that helps me draw closer to the Savior is well worth five stars.
September 15, 2022
This is Nonfiction Christian and I have to say that this author is a favorite of mine. I think I own all of his books and/or his audios. They are inspiring. Reading him makes me feel like I should be better. I listened to this one and thought of so many areas in my life for personal application, but then my resolve was completely out the window when I commenced my morning commute. So, I listened to it again, and I have actually started my third listen. I love this one.
The author used the questions that Jesus asked in the New Testament and shows examples on how when we answer them for ourselves, how we can follow the example set for us by Jesus. I loved the practical applications this opened up. I'm always learning so much from him. So 5 stars.
The author used the questions that Jesus asked in the New Testament and shows examples on how when we answer them for ourselves, how we can follow the example set for us by Jesus. I loved the practical applications this opened up. I'm always learning so much from him. So 5 stars.
April 25, 2021
Each short chapter talks about a scripture and thoughts on it.
February 2, 2021
There were many great self-reflection questions in each chapter. Some of the first few chapters flipped my usual thought processes around and made me rethink of how I view prayer, seeking, questioning, and reflection. Like how Wilcox proposes that the next maturity level of seeking revelation is not just going to God with requests and questions but instead communing with God and trying to answer His questions of you.
I really respect Wilcox and his many insights. I listened to some of his talks a few years ago and many similar messages were repeated in this book. However, it was a good repetition and a reminder of how to better liken the New Testament parables and people to my life.
I recommend this audiobook read by the author.
I really respect Wilcox and his many insights. I listened to some of his talks a few years ago and many similar messages were repeated in this book. However, it was a good repetition and a reminder of how to better liken the New Testament parables and people to my life.
I recommend this audiobook read by the author.
November 8, 2020
The premise of this book is wonderful. I loved the personal journey that each question from Jesus took me on. I listened to the Audible version, but would love a hard copy in order to really study each question more thoroughly.
May 15, 2021
This was a thought provoking book which encourages you to respond to the questions of Christ instead of always asking questions of heaven. Wilcox’s experiences appropriately highlight how each of us should approach the Savior.
July 11, 2022
3.5 stars
A really cool way of learning about the Savior. I loved the introspective questions we ask ourselves instead of always asking Him our questions. I've found myself pondering more why I do things or react a certain way. I think I would have enjoyed the paper copy much more than the audio which kinda bugged me.
A really cool way of learning about the Savior. I loved the introspective questions we ask ourselves instead of always asking Him our questions. I've found myself pondering more why I do things or react a certain way. I think I would have enjoyed the paper copy much more than the audio which kinda bugged me.
December 17, 2020
I love this book so much! I got it from overdrive, but am going to buy it. I love the discussions on answering God questions and the idea that once we answer Gods questions, we may find we have fewer for him. He also talks about seeing God everywhere throughout the whole world. He talks to everyone is any way that he can.
Favorite quotes:
Do we seek truth? The Spirit? Do we seek comforts? Pleasure? Friendships? I think most of us would say to Jesus, “Lord, I just long to be happy! I just desire peace! I need love! I want to feel good about myself.” To these essential desires, Christ responds, “Well, if you want joy, peace, love, serenity, truth, or the Spirit, come and see. Follow me and you shall have all you seek.”
The clay represents the dirt of the world. We all get a bit soiled in our contact with the ordinary world. “Do you want faith,” Jesus asks, “so your desired wholeness can come? Then wash away the things of this world.”
Whatever our circumstances, the Lord always asks us to bring what we have, no matter how small it may seem compared to the multitude standing before us. When we ask for help in faith, God usually answers by first helping us understand that we already have much of what we need—or at least a measure. If we bring our loaves and fishes to Jesus, He will bless them in such a way that what we have will be ample and enough... “How many loaves have ye?” requires us to assess our own abilities, our own faith, or courage, or talent, or love—and it is good to go through that process. Under His blessing, there will be enough... When we look at those few loaves of our own strengths, talents, faith, wisdom, courage, or love, let us put what we have in His hands, that He may bless it. Then the miracle comes. What was insufficient overflows. There will always be enough, but we must ever go and see, and bring to the Savior what we have.
Questions from the New Testament discussed in the book:
“What Seek Ye?”
“Where Are the Nine?”
“Wilt Thou Be Made Whole?”
“Believe Ye That I Am Able to Do This?” “Shouldest Not Thou Also Have Had Compassion?” “Why Beholdest Thou the Mote That Is in Thy Brother’s Eye?”
“Why Trouble Ye Her?”
“How Many Loaves Have Ye?”
“Is Not the Life More Than Meat?”
“Will Ye Also Go Away?”
“Why Stand Ye Here All the Day Idle?”
“Believest Thou This?”
“Whom Say Ye That I Am?”
“Why Weepest Thou?”
“Why Are Ye So Fearful?”
“What Do Ye More Than Others?”
“Why Callest Thou Me Good?”
“How Readest Thou?”
“What Shall I Say?”
“Wilt Thou Lay Down Thy Life for My Sake?” “Sleepest Thou?”
“Lovest Thou Me?”
“What Is That to Thee?”
“Now, What Do We Hear?”
Favorite quotes:
Do we seek truth? The Spirit? Do we seek comforts? Pleasure? Friendships? I think most of us would say to Jesus, “Lord, I just long to be happy! I just desire peace! I need love! I want to feel good about myself.” To these essential desires, Christ responds, “Well, if you want joy, peace, love, serenity, truth, or the Spirit, come and see. Follow me and you shall have all you seek.”
The clay represents the dirt of the world. We all get a bit soiled in our contact with the ordinary world. “Do you want faith,” Jesus asks, “so your desired wholeness can come? Then wash away the things of this world.”
Whatever our circumstances, the Lord always asks us to bring what we have, no matter how small it may seem compared to the multitude standing before us. When we ask for help in faith, God usually answers by first helping us understand that we already have much of what we need—or at least a measure. If we bring our loaves and fishes to Jesus, He will bless them in such a way that what we have will be ample and enough... “How many loaves have ye?” requires us to assess our own abilities, our own faith, or courage, or talent, or love—and it is good to go through that process. Under His blessing, there will be enough... When we look at those few loaves of our own strengths, talents, faith, wisdom, courage, or love, let us put what we have in His hands, that He may bless it. Then the miracle comes. What was insufficient overflows. There will always be enough, but we must ever go and see, and bring to the Savior what we have.
Questions from the New Testament discussed in the book:
“What Seek Ye?”
“Where Are the Nine?”
“Wilt Thou Be Made Whole?”
“Believe Ye That I Am Able to Do This?” “Shouldest Not Thou Also Have Had Compassion?” “Why Beholdest Thou the Mote That Is in Thy Brother’s Eye?”
“Why Trouble Ye Her?”
“How Many Loaves Have Ye?”
“Is Not the Life More Than Meat?”
“Will Ye Also Go Away?”
“Why Stand Ye Here All the Day Idle?”
“Believest Thou This?”
“Whom Say Ye That I Am?”
“Why Weepest Thou?”
“Why Are Ye So Fearful?”
“What Do Ye More Than Others?”
“Why Callest Thou Me Good?”
“How Readest Thou?”
“What Shall I Say?”
“Wilt Thou Lay Down Thy Life for My Sake?” “Sleepest Thou?”
“Lovest Thou Me?”
“What Is That to Thee?”
“Now, What Do We Hear?”
August 18, 2020
I've read two of his other books that didn't quite click with me. But, for some reason, this one did.
It was thoughtful, lovely, unassuming, and worth my time. I'm glad I bothered.
Nicely paired with Wendy Nelson's book on questions.
It was thoughtful, lovely, unassuming, and worth my time. I'm glad I bothered.
Nicely paired with Wendy Nelson's book on questions.
November 8, 2024
Such a good book.
Quotes:
I am also learning that if I am the Answerer and God the Questioner, and I can answer His questions with thought and devotion, my own inquiries to Him decrease significantly. His questions—when we truly contemplate them, mediate about them, deliberate over them, and answer them—simply eliminate the need for so many of our own! They change us!
WHERE ARE THE NINE?
I am learning that, often in my life, talking to my Father in Heaven openly and without soul-barriers is the answer itself.
We can also learn to offer thanks for the many trials we have not had to face in life. These are unknown and therefore not as immediate as the blessings we have received, but we can appreciate that there are may roads we have not had to walk and many burdens we have not had to carry.
WILT THOU BE MADE WHOLE?
It is sometimes enlightening to people to realize that when we talk of a covenant relationship with God, it is a marriage we should think of: a bride and a bridegroom. Love, loyalty, trust, and friendship are the binding powers, not a signature on a dotted line, a swearing on the Bible, or a hand held up in a sworn oath. Love, not legality!
But Jesus comes and asks that oh-so-very-important question, “Wilt thou be made whole?” If we answer yes, it naturally implies that we will tell Him what blind, halt withered problem we are facing. Remember, when Jesus compared Himself to a physician, He specifically used the word “whole.”
SHOULDEST NOT THOU ALSO HAVE HAD COMPASSION?
Perhaps unavoidably, the space in the heart which holds peace is the very same one which holds animosity, bitterness, anger or resentment toward others—and both cannot dwell there at the same time. That is one of life/s paradoxes. We can fill that space with jealousy, answer, and other destructive emotions, but the Lord waits until we cleanse it and rid ourselves of those emotions, so we have room for His peace.
WHY BEHOLDEST THOU THE MOTE?
We live in a mote-seeking world. Beholding motes is endemic, almost a plague in our politics, our media, and our interactions with others. Our attention is ever directed to others’ failings, not their successes. We sense sometimes a certain delight, a feeling of self-importance, or a justifying moral indignation in those who pint them out. Our society is becoming less and less civil, more critical, and more prone to find fault—to the point that it borders on mean-spiritedness. There’s a sense of superiority in beholding the motes of others. Mote-picking can be especially damaging when found in families. …. We tend to behold motes in historical people as well. … When I study a noted person of the past, I try to apply one simple rule: Celebrate all the good they did, and forgive all the rest! Because that is what I hope people will do for me.
WHY TROUBLE YE HER?
Jesus was saying, “Let him alone; why trouble ye him? He hath wrought a good work. He hath done what he could.” This question works for both sides of indignation and murmuring. I can’t tell you how comforting that experience was. I love this question of Jesus. I have been on both sides of it and seen its power.
HOW MANY LOAVES HAVE YE?
Whatever our circumstances, the Lord always asks us to bring what we have, no matter how small it may seem compared to the multitude standing before us. When we ask for help in faith, God usually answers by first helping us understand what we already have much of what we need—or at least a measure. If we bring our loaves and fishes to Jesus, He will bless them in such a way that what we have will be ample and enough.
IS NOT THE LIFE MORE THAN MEAT?
We do have temporal needs which must be wisely considered, but I think the Savior’s question about life being more than meat and raiment must be thought about almost daily. We need to stick to the basics, and keep our wants simple. How much time, effort, and money do we need to devote to the big three necessities of food, clothing, and shelter? “Your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things” (Luke 12:30). Because we want so much more than just these things, or we desire greater and greater quantities of them, we are often troubled—or at best, distracted.
The kingdom of God stresses relationships, service, and developing minds, talents, and character. I feel the need to constantly ask myself, “Am I spending too much time and anxiety filling and then building greater barns?”
“Tolstoy moments”- unadorned, modest moments of pleasure that happen by the dozen each day, giving us drops of happiness one by one. I am often surprised by how many tiny reasons I have to smile each day.
WILL YE ALSO GO AWAY?
“Will ye also go away?”, “Lord, to whom shall we go?”, and “Will ye not now return unto me … and be converted, that I may heal you?”
BELIEVEST THOU THIS?
Determining factor in creating faith is choice.
WHY WEEPEST THOU?
Three questions invite us to open our hearts and unburden our souls. “Why are you weeping? Why are you sad as you walk and talk along life’s journey? What things have happened to cause your sorrow?” They allow us to “pour out,” as the scriptures call a certain type of prayer. It is a healing, necessary prayer, and it matters a great deal whom we are pouring out to.
In spite of all our prayers and faith, God’s promise is not that He will make the trials and problems go away, but that He will be with us through them.
Suffering seems to be necessary for the calling forth of all that is divine within us. It tends to make us more compassionate, forgiving, empathetic, kind, calm—all key qualities of our Father in Heaven. We have his promise that everything that happens to us in life He can make good.
WHY ARE YE SO FEARFUL?
Perhaps you have wondered, as you try to shake an apparently sleeping Lord, if He cares. Most have. I have tried to picture Him in these moments, however, not as unconcerned over my peril and fears (not as a “caress thou not” God, certainly not as a chiding God), but as one calm in the face of all storms. He is in the boat with us. Nothing can calm me quite as readily as a water-filled life. In desperate situations, nothing is quite as wonderful as facing them with someone with tranquil, quiet composure. But if I visualize Him in heaven, outside my boat, looking on from a vantage point above the waves and wind, my fear grows. I must see Him—we must see Him—in the boat with us, for that is where He is! … there is no storm quite as terrifying as our own failures.
WILT THOU LAY DOWN THY LIFE FOR MY SAKE?
Like Peter, our misplaced self-belief can lead us into situations where we are shown exactly where our limitations lie. Our humanity peeks through.
Every time we start to make comparisons, or judgments, or excuses, or get angry, or offended, or even confused, the Savior will come with that last question, and that last exhortation: “What is that to thee? Follow thou me.” … these are the last words of Jesus in the Gospels.
Quotes:
I am also learning that if I am the Answerer and God the Questioner, and I can answer His questions with thought and devotion, my own inquiries to Him decrease significantly. His questions—when we truly contemplate them, mediate about them, deliberate over them, and answer them—simply eliminate the need for so many of our own! They change us!
WHERE ARE THE NINE?
I am learning that, often in my life, talking to my Father in Heaven openly and without soul-barriers is the answer itself.
We can also learn to offer thanks for the many trials we have not had to face in life. These are unknown and therefore not as immediate as the blessings we have received, but we can appreciate that there are may roads we have not had to walk and many burdens we have not had to carry.
WILT THOU BE MADE WHOLE?
It is sometimes enlightening to people to realize that when we talk of a covenant relationship with God, it is a marriage we should think of: a bride and a bridegroom. Love, loyalty, trust, and friendship are the binding powers, not a signature on a dotted line, a swearing on the Bible, or a hand held up in a sworn oath. Love, not legality!
But Jesus comes and asks that oh-so-very-important question, “Wilt thou be made whole?” If we answer yes, it naturally implies that we will tell Him what blind, halt withered problem we are facing. Remember, when Jesus compared Himself to a physician, He specifically used the word “whole.”
SHOULDEST NOT THOU ALSO HAVE HAD COMPASSION?
Perhaps unavoidably, the space in the heart which holds peace is the very same one which holds animosity, bitterness, anger or resentment toward others—and both cannot dwell there at the same time. That is one of life/s paradoxes. We can fill that space with jealousy, answer, and other destructive emotions, but the Lord waits until we cleanse it and rid ourselves of those emotions, so we have room for His peace.
WHY BEHOLDEST THOU THE MOTE?
We live in a mote-seeking world. Beholding motes is endemic, almost a plague in our politics, our media, and our interactions with others. Our attention is ever directed to others’ failings, not their successes. We sense sometimes a certain delight, a feeling of self-importance, or a justifying moral indignation in those who pint them out. Our society is becoming less and less civil, more critical, and more prone to find fault—to the point that it borders on mean-spiritedness. There’s a sense of superiority in beholding the motes of others. Mote-picking can be especially damaging when found in families. …. We tend to behold motes in historical people as well. … When I study a noted person of the past, I try to apply one simple rule: Celebrate all the good they did, and forgive all the rest! Because that is what I hope people will do for me.
WHY TROUBLE YE HER?
Jesus was saying, “Let him alone; why trouble ye him? He hath wrought a good work. He hath done what he could.” This question works for both sides of indignation and murmuring. I can’t tell you how comforting that experience was. I love this question of Jesus. I have been on both sides of it and seen its power.
HOW MANY LOAVES HAVE YE?
Whatever our circumstances, the Lord always asks us to bring what we have, no matter how small it may seem compared to the multitude standing before us. When we ask for help in faith, God usually answers by first helping us understand what we already have much of what we need—or at least a measure. If we bring our loaves and fishes to Jesus, He will bless them in such a way that what we have will be ample and enough.
IS NOT THE LIFE MORE THAN MEAT?
We do have temporal needs which must be wisely considered, but I think the Savior’s question about life being more than meat and raiment must be thought about almost daily. We need to stick to the basics, and keep our wants simple. How much time, effort, and money do we need to devote to the big three necessities of food, clothing, and shelter? “Your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things” (Luke 12:30). Because we want so much more than just these things, or we desire greater and greater quantities of them, we are often troubled—or at best, distracted.
The kingdom of God stresses relationships, service, and developing minds, talents, and character. I feel the need to constantly ask myself, “Am I spending too much time and anxiety filling and then building greater barns?”
“Tolstoy moments”- unadorned, modest moments of pleasure that happen by the dozen each day, giving us drops of happiness one by one. I am often surprised by how many tiny reasons I have to smile each day.
WILL YE ALSO GO AWAY?
“Will ye also go away?”, “Lord, to whom shall we go?”, and “Will ye not now return unto me … and be converted, that I may heal you?”
BELIEVEST THOU THIS?
Determining factor in creating faith is choice.
WHY WEEPEST THOU?
Three questions invite us to open our hearts and unburden our souls. “Why are you weeping? Why are you sad as you walk and talk along life’s journey? What things have happened to cause your sorrow?” They allow us to “pour out,” as the scriptures call a certain type of prayer. It is a healing, necessary prayer, and it matters a great deal whom we are pouring out to.
In spite of all our prayers and faith, God’s promise is not that He will make the trials and problems go away, but that He will be with us through them.
Suffering seems to be necessary for the calling forth of all that is divine within us. It tends to make us more compassionate, forgiving, empathetic, kind, calm—all key qualities of our Father in Heaven. We have his promise that everything that happens to us in life He can make good.
WHY ARE YE SO FEARFUL?
Perhaps you have wondered, as you try to shake an apparently sleeping Lord, if He cares. Most have. I have tried to picture Him in these moments, however, not as unconcerned over my peril and fears (not as a “caress thou not” God, certainly not as a chiding God), but as one calm in the face of all storms. He is in the boat with us. Nothing can calm me quite as readily as a water-filled life. In desperate situations, nothing is quite as wonderful as facing them with someone with tranquil, quiet composure. But if I visualize Him in heaven, outside my boat, looking on from a vantage point above the waves and wind, my fear grows. I must see Him—we must see Him—in the boat with us, for that is where He is! … there is no storm quite as terrifying as our own failures.
WILT THOU LAY DOWN THY LIFE FOR MY SAKE?
Like Peter, our misplaced self-belief can lead us into situations where we are shown exactly where our limitations lie. Our humanity peeks through.
Every time we start to make comparisons, or judgments, or excuses, or get angry, or offended, or even confused, the Savior will come with that last question, and that last exhortation: “What is that to thee? Follow thou me.” … these are the last words of Jesus in the Gospels.
September 5, 2021
I took a long time reading and marking this 146 page book. It has deep insights into the Savior’s questions he asked others. I would sit and ponder each chapter. It is a typical S. Michael Wilcox book in that is looks at something seemingly simple and brings out the complexities making me think “Why can’t I do that?” He has a way of leading the reader through a wonderful series of new ideas about a very common circumstance.
December 5, 2021
Probably one of my very favorite Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint books I have read. It helped me ponder more deeply the questions of Jesus during his mortal ministry and has changed how I think about my personal relationship with the Savior. I loved the idea of becoming the “answerer” rather than the “questioner”. This is a book I will come back to many times as I continue to think about and ponder those questions in my life.
March 21, 2021
This book was really good. Each chapter has a question that Jesus asked. I wanted to read slowly and ask myself the questions and ponder on how I would answer them in my life today. Wilcox's examples and insight brought new depth and understanding I had never thought of about Christ and my relationship with him and as a disciple. This is a book I should pick up every so often to ask myself the questions again to improve.
November 13, 2020
4.5. Each chapter focuses on a question Christ asked in the New Testament. I liked how he turned the questions to us - an encouraging way to “liken the scriptures” and find real ways to apply Christ’s teachings in our lives. The personal stories he shared felt real and relatable.
January 18, 2023
I’m not shy about how much I admire and love everything S. Michael Wilcox writes or speaks. This is no exception. I loved focusing on Christ’s questions and seeing situations and dealings in new light.
February 13, 2023
This is one that I will revisit again and again to review the different questions.
August 21, 2021
Shouldest thou not also have had compassion
How many loaves have ye? - I love the suggestion to consider and bring to the Lord an inventory of everything I have to offer, and then watch as He multiplies it.
Why trouble ye her—some really fun stories here about when Wilcox was really grateful for not having acted out in anger.
The chapter “Believest thou this” was beautiful. Also what shall I say.
Sleepest thou? - I’m awake lord, I want to comfort those around me.
How many loaves have ye? - I love the suggestion to consider and bring to the Lord an inventory of everything I have to offer, and then watch as He multiplies it.
Why trouble ye her—some really fun stories here about when Wilcox was really grateful for not having acted out in anger.
The chapter “Believest thou this” was beautiful. Also what shall I say.
Sleepest thou? - I’m awake lord, I want to comfort those around me.
May 9, 2023
Very thought provoking book. The questions that Jesus asked in scripture can be answered by us also.
July 15, 2022
Quite an interesting premise: study the questions that Jesus asked across the New Testament gospels and consider their meaning and application in modern times.
I found some of these extrapolations to be immensely insightful and others, as I feel has often been the case with the author, a little bland or too narrow to relate to.
But in the end, I was intrigued and engaged and would read it again.
I found some of these extrapolations to be immensely insightful and others, as I feel has often been the case with the author, a little bland or too narrow to relate to.
But in the end, I was intrigued and engaged and would read it again.
August 10, 2020
This is an insightful book. There is much we can learn from the direct questions the Savior asked others. Nearly every single one is something we can ask ourselves. Considering His questions and then acting on inspiration will help us be closer to Him. Here are some of the questions and quotes I loved:
"I have felt that what was critical and essential in my relationship with my Father in Heaven was learning how to get answers from Him... We spend our lives learning how to be the Questioner approaching the great Answerer (p. 2)."
"God has questions for us... How we answer those questions tells our Father in Heaven much about us, and helps reveal ourselves to ourselves... His questions--when we truly contemplate them, meditate about them, deliberate over them, and answer them--simply eliminate the need for so many of our own! They change us (p. 3)!"
"The Spirit begins to help us focus those questions on ourselves. They are no longer about Peter, or Andrew, or Mary Magdalene, or the Pharisees… When I ponder Jesus's questions, I receive the sense that my eternal happiness hangs upon my answers in a way more acutely poignant and important to me than when I thought my relationship ...was focused on me as a Questioner (p. 4)."
"The questions of Jesus are just as powerful, memorable, and life-changing as His parables and sermons--if we direct them to our own lives, thoughts, and behaviors (p. 5)."
"These questions will get us past so many of the challenges of life, make us deeply committed disciples of Christ, and instill a peace and happiness we cannot receive any other way. These questions… need a great deal of soul-searching (p. 5)."
"There is an essential daily question Jesus asks all of us!... 'What seek ye? What do you desire of life (p. 6)?'"
"'The Great Invitation'... 'Come and see'... 'Behold the man!...Behold your King (p. 7)!'"
"What is it that we truly seek in life?... Seek suggests effort and commitment... We were hoping things would just turn up. I can hear the Lord occasionally say to me... 'Move something!'... I can't help but compare the implied efforts of the word seek with the effortlessness of the word want. Do we seek truth? The Spirit? Do we seek comforts? Pleasure? Friendships? I think most of us would say to Jesus, 'Lord, I just long to be happy! I just desire peace! I need love! I want to feel good about myself.' To these essential desires, Christ responds, 'Well, if you want joy, peace, love, serenity, truth, or the Spirit, come and see. Follow me and you shall have all you seek (p. 7).'"
"'Rest' is also something the Savior promised to those who follow Him: 'Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest’ (Matthew 11:28, p. 8)."
"'What is it that ye desire of me, after that I am gone to the Father (3 Nephi 28:1, p. 8)?'"
"We…know what He sought--how he would have answered His own question, 'I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me' (John 5:30, p. 9).'"
"She wanted to be Jesus! There would be no doll in the nativity, but an actual child, innocent as was the infant she wanted to emulate... 'What seek ye?' I believe that somewhere in the many ways we answer that question throughout our lives is a constant ardent desire to 'be Jesus'... become one with Him as He is with the Father (p. 10)."
"Let us 'come and see.' Let us 'behold the man!' For in the life of this beautiful man we worship, and in those things He asks us, we will eventually find all we seek (p. 12)."
"'Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine (Luke 17:15-18, p. 14)?'"
"'Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. And I knew that thou hearest me always' (John 11:41-42). That is a lovely prayer! How often…has my need...for answers stopped me from the simple beauty and peace that comes from knowing God has heard me and that He always hears me? Quite frequently, that assurance is answer enough, and I go away in stillness and calm (p. 16)."
"Full gratitude is most deeply felt when we don't expect blessings and they come notwithstanding (p. 17)."
"We can also learn to offer thanks for the many trials we have not had to face in life (p. 17)."
"God doesn't need our gratitude… We need to recognize and offer our gratitude to Him; it is good for our souls (p. 18)."
"Are we spiritually blind? He will help us see! Are we deaf to the still, small voice of the Holy Ghost? He will open our ears to hear. Does our sin make us spiritually unclean, as the lepers were physically? He will cleanse us. Jesus's brief encounter with a leper, which Mark related in the first chapter of his Gospel, can be beautiful and deeply personal if we understand that the physical cleansing effected on that occasion is also spiritual, and therefore offered to us all (p. 21)!"
"'Wilt thou be made whole?' (John 5:6)... 'What will ye that I shall do unto you?' (Matthew 20:32)... There is relief in telling Him about those areas of my life wherein I would be made whole (p. 23)."
"'Believe ye that I am able to do this (Matthew 9:28, p. 25)?'"
"Do something to increase our faith in the desired healing or wholeness. What can we do to help ourselves be made whole (p. 26)?"
"He washed and came seeing... The clay represents the dirt of the world. We all get a bit soiled in our contact with the ordinary world. 'Do you want faith...so your desired wholeness can come? Then wash away the things of this world.' 'I washed, and do see,' the man testified (John 9:15). We show our belief by washing, and the act of washing will...increase faith (p. 27)."
"'Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant?' This question concludes with a clarifying reminder of the mercy the ten-thousand-talent debtor had received (and by extension, the mercy the Savior offers us): '...even as I had pity on thee?' (Matthew 18:33, p. 30)"
"Judging others seems to be inherent in our mortal condition... 'Why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye?' (Matthew 7:3)"
"I imagine Jesus responding... 'Yes, I know it is there, but why are you focused on it? Why are you looking at it so intently (p. 34)?'"
"We want others to see that mote, too (p. 35)."
"When I study a noted person of the past, I try to apply one simple rule: Celebrate all the good they did, and forgive all the rest! Because that is what I hope people will do for me (p. 36)."
"We are all so full of flaws that if someone wants to behold them, they will always be there. But we hear Jesus's voice probing our minds: 'Why beholdest thou the mote?' Why (p. 36)?"
"'He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her' (John 8:7, p. 37)."
"Sometimes motes created by the observer, and are not naturally there (p. 38)."
"'His heart overflowed with love, and by loving without cause he never failed to discover undeniable reasons for loving (p. 40).'"
"'Why trouble ye her?... She had done what she could' (Mark 14:6, 8)... As with mote-picking, indignation appeals to us because it suggests we are right and someone else is wrong. Pride...begins to play its role (p. 42)."
"There is so much to do and to be. But Jesus teaches that the very hunger for goodness and righteousness brings a state of blessedness or happiness with it... Our desires matter to the Lord (p. 43)!"
"'How many loaves have ye? Go and see' (Mark 6:37-38)... Jesus blesses the small offering--and it is sufficient to feed everyone present and fill twelve baskets of remnants (p. 48)."
"Sometimes in our need, both for ourselves and for others, we look at what we have, our few loaves and tiny fishes, and...tell the Lord that there is not sufficient... We may lack courage, or self-confidence, or love, or strength, or faith, or the mercy to forgive. Whatever our circumstances, the Lord always asks us to bring what we have, no matter how small it may seem compared to the multitude standing before us. When we ask for help in faith, God usually answers by first helping us understand that we already have much of what we need... If we bring our loaves and fishes to Jesus, He will bless them in such a way that what we have will be ample and enough (p. 48)."
"'How many loaves have ye?' requires us to asses our own abilities, our own faith, or courage, or talent, or love--and it is good to go through that process (p. 49)."
"Not only are our present needs fulfilled, but the sufficiency goes beyond the initial lack... They will be there the next time we need them. That is God's way--to give sufficient for the day and beyond. He is gracious to those who bring Him their few loaves. He is kind to those who hold out the two fishes trustingly... whatever we place in His hands will be enough, and more (p. 50)."
"'What wilt thou have me to do for thee?' (JST John 2:4, p. 52)"
"'What is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?' (Matthew 16:26)... 'What shall I do?' He doesn't have sufficient room to 'bestow his fruits,' so he... 'will pull down my barns, and build greater' (Luke 12:16-18)... 'Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap...and God feedeth them' (Luke 12:24, p. 55)."
"'Seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you' (Luke 12:31)... 'Fear not little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom' (Luke 12:32). It's not barns full of fruit...that God wants to give. He wants us to be satisfied with the basics and devote our time, talents, and resources to other, more fulfilling pursuits. The kingdom of God stresses relationships, service, and developing our minds, talents, and character... 'Sell that ye have, and give alms'... Reduce your wants... Divest yourself of the superfluous, and invest in a treasure you won't fret over so much... stay simple and use your excess to bless and help others. Do good! Then your heart will be centered on the right treasure. It will be where it needs to be (p. 57)."
"Is not the life more than meat (p. 59)?'"
"'I am that bread of life... Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead... I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live forever' (John 6:48-51, p. 60)."
"'Will ye also go away?' (John 6:67)... 'Lord, to whom shall we go?' (John 6:68, p. 63)"
"'Doth [he] not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?' (Luke 15:4)... So the Savior's love, and His (and our) yearning for the lost, never leaves. Those who love cannot go away, even though those they love have (p. 64)."
"'If ye will come unto me ye shall have eternal life. Behold, mine arm of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will come, him will I receive' (3 Nephi 9:14, p. 65)."
"'Why stand ye here all the day idle?' (Matthew 20:6) is a gentle prompting to continue to work at acquiring the divine nature and helping others do the same, but it is also a question of tremendous hope (p. 68)."
"The Lord invites you to labor, saying, 'I am merciful and will vie you the full-lifetime reward for your righteousness even if you labored only the last hour of the day (p. 69).'"
"We see the majesty, the sheer divine splendor, of Creation, from tiny wildflowers to sunsets over a rolling ocean to the aqua blue of an iceberg. We reflect on the millions of miracles... We see beauty in the goodness of souls... It is impossible to believe and it is impossible not to believe!... What do we do when our desires have not been answered (p. 72)?"
"What happens to our belief when we face two-day (or longer) delays?... Where is He? Why won't He come?... How often do we wonder, 'Are you here?'... 'I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?' (John 11:23-27, p. 74)"
"What did the Messiah come to save us from? Whom will He save? How will He save us?... I came to save you from death and sin. I came to save everyone! And I will save you through my teachings, my perfect life and example, and the sacrifice of my life (p. 79)."
"'Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?' (Matthew 16:13). The apostles answered with a variety of the prominent current ideas about who Jesus was... Jesus then asked the critical question, 'But whom say ye that I am?' (Matthew 16:15, p. 79)"
"'But what do you say?'... 'How think ye?' (Matthew 18:12, p. 82)"
"'Why weepest thou?' (John 20:15)... 'What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?'... 'What things?' (Luke 24:17-19)... All three questions...are invitations to open our hearts and unburden our souls (p. 84)."
"In God's eternal vocabulary, there is no such thing as 'alone'... One dangerous assumption that comes from believing in an all-powerful and totally good Father in Heaven is that He can prevent or end sorrows (p. 86)."
"There is an exalting power in our empty tombs (p. 87)."
"'Why are ye so fearful?' (Mark 4:40)... 'Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts?' (Luke 24:38, p. 90)."
"He is in the boat with us (p. 91)."
"'Peace, be still (p. 94)!'"
"'What do ye more than others?' (Matthew 5:47, p. 95)"
"'Be merciful, as your Father also is merciful... judge not... condemn not... forgive... Give, and it shall be given unto you' (Luke 6:37-38, p. 97)."
"'Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?' Jesus replied, 'Why callest thou me good?'... 'There is none good but one, that is, God' (Mark 10:17-18, p. 101)."
"True worship...is doing what Jesus did (p. 104)."
"Mark tells us of the rich young ruler, 'then Jesus beholding him loved him.' I think He loved him because He saw the intensity of the young man's desire to be good even as Jesus was and desired to be good (p. 105)."
"'What is written in the law? What readest thou?' (Luke 10:26, p. 107)"
"What do we find when we read the scriptures? How do we apply them?... How far or near are we from the kingdom of God? When we search the scriptures...what do we find (p. 108)?"
"'What shall I say?' (John 12:27) is a bit different from the others (p. 114)."
"I have neither the needed wisdom nor the experience to decide between the 'far betters' and the 'more needfuls'--do you (p. 117)?"
"'Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake?' (John 13:36, p. 120)"
"'Simon, sleepest thou?' (Mark 14:37, p. 127)"
"Are there times when wonderful gifts are being tendered and Jesus says to me, 'sleepest thou (p. 130)?'"
"'I'm awake, Lord, if you need me. I'm watching (p. 131).'"
"'Lovest thou me?' (John 21:15-17, p. 133)"
"Love expressed is always love deepened (p. 134)."
"'Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much' (Luke 7:47, p. 135)."
"Do we love Him? Words cannot say (p. 136)!"
"'If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me' (John 21:22)... I don't need to worry about what blessings others have been granted and I denied (p. 141)."
"I have felt that what was critical and essential in my relationship with my Father in Heaven was learning how to get answers from Him... We spend our lives learning how to be the Questioner approaching the great Answerer (p. 2)."
"God has questions for us... How we answer those questions tells our Father in Heaven much about us, and helps reveal ourselves to ourselves... His questions--when we truly contemplate them, meditate about them, deliberate over them, and answer them--simply eliminate the need for so many of our own! They change us (p. 3)!"
"The Spirit begins to help us focus those questions on ourselves. They are no longer about Peter, or Andrew, or Mary Magdalene, or the Pharisees… When I ponder Jesus's questions, I receive the sense that my eternal happiness hangs upon my answers in a way more acutely poignant and important to me than when I thought my relationship ...was focused on me as a Questioner (p. 4)."
"The questions of Jesus are just as powerful, memorable, and life-changing as His parables and sermons--if we direct them to our own lives, thoughts, and behaviors (p. 5)."
"These questions will get us past so many of the challenges of life, make us deeply committed disciples of Christ, and instill a peace and happiness we cannot receive any other way. These questions… need a great deal of soul-searching (p. 5)."
"There is an essential daily question Jesus asks all of us!... 'What seek ye? What do you desire of life (p. 6)?'"
"'The Great Invitation'... 'Come and see'... 'Behold the man!...Behold your King (p. 7)!'"
"What is it that we truly seek in life?... Seek suggests effort and commitment... We were hoping things would just turn up. I can hear the Lord occasionally say to me... 'Move something!'... I can't help but compare the implied efforts of the word seek with the effortlessness of the word want. Do we seek truth? The Spirit? Do we seek comforts? Pleasure? Friendships? I think most of us would say to Jesus, 'Lord, I just long to be happy! I just desire peace! I need love! I want to feel good about myself.' To these essential desires, Christ responds, 'Well, if you want joy, peace, love, serenity, truth, or the Spirit, come and see. Follow me and you shall have all you seek (p. 7).'"
"'Rest' is also something the Savior promised to those who follow Him: 'Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest’ (Matthew 11:28, p. 8)."
"'What is it that ye desire of me, after that I am gone to the Father (3 Nephi 28:1, p. 8)?'"
"We…know what He sought--how he would have answered His own question, 'I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me' (John 5:30, p. 9).'"
"She wanted to be Jesus! There would be no doll in the nativity, but an actual child, innocent as was the infant she wanted to emulate... 'What seek ye?' I believe that somewhere in the many ways we answer that question throughout our lives is a constant ardent desire to 'be Jesus'... become one with Him as He is with the Father (p. 10)."
"Let us 'come and see.' Let us 'behold the man!' For in the life of this beautiful man we worship, and in those things He asks us, we will eventually find all we seek (p. 12)."
"'Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine (Luke 17:15-18, p. 14)?'"
"'Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. And I knew that thou hearest me always' (John 11:41-42). That is a lovely prayer! How often…has my need...for answers stopped me from the simple beauty and peace that comes from knowing God has heard me and that He always hears me? Quite frequently, that assurance is answer enough, and I go away in stillness and calm (p. 16)."
"Full gratitude is most deeply felt when we don't expect blessings and they come notwithstanding (p. 17)."
"We can also learn to offer thanks for the many trials we have not had to face in life (p. 17)."
"God doesn't need our gratitude… We need to recognize and offer our gratitude to Him; it is good for our souls (p. 18)."
"Are we spiritually blind? He will help us see! Are we deaf to the still, small voice of the Holy Ghost? He will open our ears to hear. Does our sin make us spiritually unclean, as the lepers were physically? He will cleanse us. Jesus's brief encounter with a leper, which Mark related in the first chapter of his Gospel, can be beautiful and deeply personal if we understand that the physical cleansing effected on that occasion is also spiritual, and therefore offered to us all (p. 21)!"
"'Wilt thou be made whole?' (John 5:6)... 'What will ye that I shall do unto you?' (Matthew 20:32)... There is relief in telling Him about those areas of my life wherein I would be made whole (p. 23)."
"'Believe ye that I am able to do this (Matthew 9:28, p. 25)?'"
"Do something to increase our faith in the desired healing or wholeness. What can we do to help ourselves be made whole (p. 26)?"
"He washed and came seeing... The clay represents the dirt of the world. We all get a bit soiled in our contact with the ordinary world. 'Do you want faith...so your desired wholeness can come? Then wash away the things of this world.' 'I washed, and do see,' the man testified (John 9:15). We show our belief by washing, and the act of washing will...increase faith (p. 27)."
"'Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant?' This question concludes with a clarifying reminder of the mercy the ten-thousand-talent debtor had received (and by extension, the mercy the Savior offers us): '...even as I had pity on thee?' (Matthew 18:33, p. 30)"
"Judging others seems to be inherent in our mortal condition... 'Why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye?' (Matthew 7:3)"
"I imagine Jesus responding... 'Yes, I know it is there, but why are you focused on it? Why are you looking at it so intently (p. 34)?'"
"We want others to see that mote, too (p. 35)."
"When I study a noted person of the past, I try to apply one simple rule: Celebrate all the good they did, and forgive all the rest! Because that is what I hope people will do for me (p. 36)."
"We are all so full of flaws that if someone wants to behold them, they will always be there. But we hear Jesus's voice probing our minds: 'Why beholdest thou the mote?' Why (p. 36)?"
"'He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her' (John 8:7, p. 37)."
"Sometimes motes created by the observer, and are not naturally there (p. 38)."
"'His heart overflowed with love, and by loving without cause he never failed to discover undeniable reasons for loving (p. 40).'"
"'Why trouble ye her?... She had done what she could' (Mark 14:6, 8)... As with mote-picking, indignation appeals to us because it suggests we are right and someone else is wrong. Pride...begins to play its role (p. 42)."
"There is so much to do and to be. But Jesus teaches that the very hunger for goodness and righteousness brings a state of blessedness or happiness with it... Our desires matter to the Lord (p. 43)!"
"'How many loaves have ye? Go and see' (Mark 6:37-38)... Jesus blesses the small offering--and it is sufficient to feed everyone present and fill twelve baskets of remnants (p. 48)."
"Sometimes in our need, both for ourselves and for others, we look at what we have, our few loaves and tiny fishes, and...tell the Lord that there is not sufficient... We may lack courage, or self-confidence, or love, or strength, or faith, or the mercy to forgive. Whatever our circumstances, the Lord always asks us to bring what we have, no matter how small it may seem compared to the multitude standing before us. When we ask for help in faith, God usually answers by first helping us understand that we already have much of what we need... If we bring our loaves and fishes to Jesus, He will bless them in such a way that what we have will be ample and enough (p. 48)."
"'How many loaves have ye?' requires us to asses our own abilities, our own faith, or courage, or talent, or love--and it is good to go through that process (p. 49)."
"Not only are our present needs fulfilled, but the sufficiency goes beyond the initial lack... They will be there the next time we need them. That is God's way--to give sufficient for the day and beyond. He is gracious to those who bring Him their few loaves. He is kind to those who hold out the two fishes trustingly... whatever we place in His hands will be enough, and more (p. 50)."
"'What wilt thou have me to do for thee?' (JST John 2:4, p. 52)"
"'What is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?' (Matthew 16:26)... 'What shall I do?' He doesn't have sufficient room to 'bestow his fruits,' so he... 'will pull down my barns, and build greater' (Luke 12:16-18)... 'Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap...and God feedeth them' (Luke 12:24, p. 55)."
"'Seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you' (Luke 12:31)... 'Fear not little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom' (Luke 12:32). It's not barns full of fruit...that God wants to give. He wants us to be satisfied with the basics and devote our time, talents, and resources to other, more fulfilling pursuits. The kingdom of God stresses relationships, service, and developing our minds, talents, and character... 'Sell that ye have, and give alms'... Reduce your wants... Divest yourself of the superfluous, and invest in a treasure you won't fret over so much... stay simple and use your excess to bless and help others. Do good! Then your heart will be centered on the right treasure. It will be where it needs to be (p. 57)."
"Is not the life more than meat (p. 59)?'"
"'I am that bread of life... Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead... I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live forever' (John 6:48-51, p. 60)."
"'Will ye also go away?' (John 6:67)... 'Lord, to whom shall we go?' (John 6:68, p. 63)"
"'Doth [he] not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?' (Luke 15:4)... So the Savior's love, and His (and our) yearning for the lost, never leaves. Those who love cannot go away, even though those they love have (p. 64)."
"'If ye will come unto me ye shall have eternal life. Behold, mine arm of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will come, him will I receive' (3 Nephi 9:14, p. 65)."
"'Why stand ye here all the day idle?' (Matthew 20:6) is a gentle prompting to continue to work at acquiring the divine nature and helping others do the same, but it is also a question of tremendous hope (p. 68)."
"The Lord invites you to labor, saying, 'I am merciful and will vie you the full-lifetime reward for your righteousness even if you labored only the last hour of the day (p. 69).'"
"We see the majesty, the sheer divine splendor, of Creation, from tiny wildflowers to sunsets over a rolling ocean to the aqua blue of an iceberg. We reflect on the millions of miracles... We see beauty in the goodness of souls... It is impossible to believe and it is impossible not to believe!... What do we do when our desires have not been answered (p. 72)?"
"What happens to our belief when we face two-day (or longer) delays?... Where is He? Why won't He come?... How often do we wonder, 'Are you here?'... 'I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?' (John 11:23-27, p. 74)"
"What did the Messiah come to save us from? Whom will He save? How will He save us?... I came to save you from death and sin. I came to save everyone! And I will save you through my teachings, my perfect life and example, and the sacrifice of my life (p. 79)."
"'Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?' (Matthew 16:13). The apostles answered with a variety of the prominent current ideas about who Jesus was... Jesus then asked the critical question, 'But whom say ye that I am?' (Matthew 16:15, p. 79)"
"'But what do you say?'... 'How think ye?' (Matthew 18:12, p. 82)"
"'Why weepest thou?' (John 20:15)... 'What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?'... 'What things?' (Luke 24:17-19)... All three questions...are invitations to open our hearts and unburden our souls (p. 84)."
"In God's eternal vocabulary, there is no such thing as 'alone'... One dangerous assumption that comes from believing in an all-powerful and totally good Father in Heaven is that He can prevent or end sorrows (p. 86)."
"There is an exalting power in our empty tombs (p. 87)."
"'Why are ye so fearful?' (Mark 4:40)... 'Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts?' (Luke 24:38, p. 90)."
"He is in the boat with us (p. 91)."
"'Peace, be still (p. 94)!'"
"'What do ye more than others?' (Matthew 5:47, p. 95)"
"'Be merciful, as your Father also is merciful... judge not... condemn not... forgive... Give, and it shall be given unto you' (Luke 6:37-38, p. 97)."
"'Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?' Jesus replied, 'Why callest thou me good?'... 'There is none good but one, that is, God' (Mark 10:17-18, p. 101)."
"True worship...is doing what Jesus did (p. 104)."
"Mark tells us of the rich young ruler, 'then Jesus beholding him loved him.' I think He loved him because He saw the intensity of the young man's desire to be good even as Jesus was and desired to be good (p. 105)."
"'What is written in the law? What readest thou?' (Luke 10:26, p. 107)"
"What do we find when we read the scriptures? How do we apply them?... How far or near are we from the kingdom of God? When we search the scriptures...what do we find (p. 108)?"
"'What shall I say?' (John 12:27) is a bit different from the others (p. 114)."
"I have neither the needed wisdom nor the experience to decide between the 'far betters' and the 'more needfuls'--do you (p. 117)?"
"'Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake?' (John 13:36, p. 120)"
"'Simon, sleepest thou?' (Mark 14:37, p. 127)"
"Are there times when wonderful gifts are being tendered and Jesus says to me, 'sleepest thou (p. 130)?'"
"'I'm awake, Lord, if you need me. I'm watching (p. 131).'"
"'Lovest thou me?' (John 21:15-17, p. 133)"
"Love expressed is always love deepened (p. 134)."
"'Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much' (Luke 7:47, p. 135)."
"Do we love Him? Words cannot say (p. 136)!"
"'If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me' (John 21:22)... I don't need to worry about what blessings others have been granted and I denied (p. 141)."
November 18, 2025
Insightful...uplifting...thought provoking
Thank You Michael S. Wilcox
Thank You Michael S. Wilcox
September 19, 2020
I bet you never realized just how many questions the Savior posed to others during his ministry as recorded in the four gospels. Author S. Michael Wilcox explores 23 such questions asked by the Savior in 25 very short sections or chapters. This book is only 146 pages long and won't take long to read. I had to read this with my KJV Bible sitting open next to me as he did not always include a scripture reference to back up where he got the question or explain the context behind it.
In each section or chapter, Wilcox tries to include as many personal examples as he can so the reader can relate better to the concepts he is trying to get across with each question. What are WE truly seeking in our own lives that will build character and bring us closer to God? Do we REALLY believe Jesus can calm all fears and help us weather all storms? If we witness for Christ do we truly testify of Him or just repeat what others claim He is-great moral teacher or Son of God? All good topics to cover.
However...
Wilcox tells us in his pondering how to ask for divine help in overcoming his faults, he chose what seemed to me rather lame virtues such as honesty and gratitude to work on. Okay.
Then I counted at least four different times this seventy year old widower mentioned his deceased wife who died of cancer. Cleaning out all her personal items from the house (apparently she was quite a pack-rat) reminded him of the "mote and beam" parable. Much easier to focus on the positives of a deceased person than a living one.
When she was confined to a wheelchair the family took one last trip to Disneyland and he silently murmured the entire day at the park's DAS services until one ride attendant recognized him as a prominent LDS speaker and Holy Land Tour Guide and told him what a big fan she was of his work. That deescalated his attitude in a hurry, let me tell you!
He seems to be most fearful of dying and being left a lone man in the eternities. Will his Laurie REALLY still want him in the next life? Will he REALLY see her again?
Oh, Brother Wilcox, having never suffered the purgatory of singles wards and mid-singles activities with the church offering ZERO resources for our growing numbers...WHERE IS YOUR FAITH???
Hence my two star rating.
This book is still worth reading. There are many good insights and other interesting items to make up for some of the redundancy but having only read one other title by this author "Daughters of God" (1998) and knowing he has published a great many more LDS inspirational titles, perhaps some of his other books are better.
In each section or chapter, Wilcox tries to include as many personal examples as he can so the reader can relate better to the concepts he is trying to get across with each question. What are WE truly seeking in our own lives that will build character and bring us closer to God? Do we REALLY believe Jesus can calm all fears and help us weather all storms? If we witness for Christ do we truly testify of Him or just repeat what others claim He is-great moral teacher or Son of God? All good topics to cover.
However...
Wilcox tells us in his pondering how to ask for divine help in overcoming his faults, he chose what seemed to me rather lame virtues such as honesty and gratitude to work on. Okay.
Then I counted at least four different times this seventy year old widower mentioned his deceased wife who died of cancer. Cleaning out all her personal items from the house (apparently she was quite a pack-rat) reminded him of the "mote and beam" parable. Much easier to focus on the positives of a deceased person than a living one.
When she was confined to a wheelchair the family took one last trip to Disneyland and he silently murmured the entire day at the park's DAS services until one ride attendant recognized him as a prominent LDS speaker and Holy Land Tour Guide and told him what a big fan she was of his work. That deescalated his attitude in a hurry, let me tell you!
He seems to be most fearful of dying and being left a lone man in the eternities. Will his Laurie REALLY still want him in the next life? Will he REALLY see her again?
Oh, Brother Wilcox, having never suffered the purgatory of singles wards and mid-singles activities with the church offering ZERO resources for our growing numbers...WHERE IS YOUR FAITH???
Hence my two star rating.
This book is still worth reading. There are many good insights and other interesting items to make up for some of the redundancy but having only read one other title by this author "Daughters of God" (1998) and knowing he has published a great many more LDS inspirational titles, perhaps some of his other books are better.
February 2, 2021
We are all taught that a primary purpose of prayer is to get answers to our questions. Yet, Wilcox has come to see that the reverse is just as important.
“Perhaps the critical point is that God has questions for us, and we must wrestle – not to receive answers from him, bit to give them to him. How we answer those questions tells our Father in Heaven much about us, and helps reveal ourselves to ourselves.”
“His questions, when we truly contemplate them, meditate about them, deliberate over them, and answer them – simply eliminate the need for so many of our own! They change us!”
The answers to these questions are not “one-time-only” answers. We need to answer these questions pretty much every day of our lives.
The questions God asks of us don’t need much commentary, but they do need a great deal of soul-searching.
I tried to read a chapter a day to give myself time to think about what I was reading, but often, even that was too much. Often, I found myself reflecting on a single question, idea, or insight for a week or more. It became grist for my journaling as well, considering how to make Wilcox’s thoughts an integral part of my own life.
One thought that came to my mind is to put these kinds of questions on 3x5 cards, with the associated scriptural passage or story summarized on the other side and memorize them, or at least refer to them frequently.
Understanding the Savior’s method of teaching (questions, repetition, parables, etc.) is one of the best ways to find relevance for me in what he said and did. Repetition is one of these methods, and signals that a powerful principle is there to be discovered if I pause to ponder and pray about it.
Whatever our circumstances, when we ask the Lord for help, he will always ask us to bring what we have to the table first – our ideas, talents, insights, skills, and other resources. Sometimes, after taking inventory, we realize what we have is enough. Other times, he will then amplify what we have to be sufficient for the need, and usually far more. Pondering on how I would respond to the Savior’s questions is a good start.
After a lifetime of reading, it’s rare for me these days that I find a book that causes me to wonder and exclaim with delight at almost every page. This was one just like that. Highly recommended.
“Perhaps the critical point is that God has questions for us, and we must wrestle – not to receive answers from him, bit to give them to him. How we answer those questions tells our Father in Heaven much about us, and helps reveal ourselves to ourselves.”
“His questions, when we truly contemplate them, meditate about them, deliberate over them, and answer them – simply eliminate the need for so many of our own! They change us!”
The answers to these questions are not “one-time-only” answers. We need to answer these questions pretty much every day of our lives.
The questions God asks of us don’t need much commentary, but they do need a great deal of soul-searching.
I tried to read a chapter a day to give myself time to think about what I was reading, but often, even that was too much. Often, I found myself reflecting on a single question, idea, or insight for a week or more. It became grist for my journaling as well, considering how to make Wilcox’s thoughts an integral part of my own life.
One thought that came to my mind is to put these kinds of questions on 3x5 cards, with the associated scriptural passage or story summarized on the other side and memorize them, or at least refer to them frequently.
Understanding the Savior’s method of teaching (questions, repetition, parables, etc.) is one of the best ways to find relevance for me in what he said and did. Repetition is one of these methods, and signals that a powerful principle is there to be discovered if I pause to ponder and pray about it.
Whatever our circumstances, when we ask the Lord for help, he will always ask us to bring what we have to the table first – our ideas, talents, insights, skills, and other resources. Sometimes, after taking inventory, we realize what we have is enough. Other times, he will then amplify what we have to be sufficient for the need, and usually far more. Pondering on how I would respond to the Savior’s questions is a good start.
After a lifetime of reading, it’s rare for me these days that I find a book that causes me to wonder and exclaim with delight at almost every page. This was one just like that. Highly recommended.
August 31, 2020
This is my seventh book by S. Michael Wilcox, so I can confidently say that he is one of my favorite authors. I love his insights, but I may be even more drawn to his personal experiences, humility, and desire to learn and be taught. I think his example taught me as much as his message (which was also great). While we have been taught to ask, seek, and knock in order to grow, this book explores the critical questions God presents to us, where He is the questioner and we are the answerer. As we reflect on and wrestle with these questions, we gain understanding and learn things about ourselves. These questions can change and direct us as much as our inquiries can. Throughout this book Wilcox explores the questions Jesus asked to his followers and disciples, and asks us to ponder them personally. He shares his thoughts and where these inquiries have taken him. Some of my most spiritual experiences have been at times when God has inspired me with questions. These experiences have taught me abundantly and I am grateful for this reminder of the importance of pondering questions and the doors they open.
August 30, 2020
I use ratings to decide which books I am going to buy, and I recently decided I am partially responsible for inflating the ratings on books. Either they were 5 star or 1 star. I decided to use the star rating more objectively as follows:
★★★★★ Great book! Can’t wait to read it again (and I will).
★★★★☆ Good book. I am glad I read this.
★★★☆☆ OK book. Nothing special but not bad.
★★☆☆☆ Not good. Why did I waste my time?
★☆☆☆☆ Lousy. I didn’t finish.
The premise of this book is insightful and thought provoking. We think of our relationship with God as one where we ask him questions and He gives us answers. This book flips that narrative and uses Christ's questions located in the New Testament and poses them as if he was asking each one of us the same questions. His responses are personal but it is the reflection on how I would answer those same questions where the book became great and thought provoking. I have read it twice in the last month and have enjoyed it both times. I am sure I will read it again and enjoy it as much the third time.
★★★★★ Great book! Can’t wait to read it again (and I will).
★★★★☆ Good book. I am glad I read this.
★★★☆☆ OK book. Nothing special but not bad.
★★☆☆☆ Not good. Why did I waste my time?
★☆☆☆☆ Lousy. I didn’t finish.
The premise of this book is insightful and thought provoking. We think of our relationship with God as one where we ask him questions and He gives us answers. This book flips that narrative and uses Christ's questions located in the New Testament and poses them as if he was asking each one of us the same questions. His responses are personal but it is the reflection on how I would answer those same questions where the book became great and thought provoking. I have read it twice in the last month and have enjoyed it both times. I am sure I will read it again and enjoy it as much the third time.
May 15, 2021
The Jewish people are adept at asking questions. There is a famous Jewish story of a man who asked a rabbi, "Why do you Jews always answer a question with a question?" To which the rabbi replied, "Why shouldn't we?"
The New Testament is filled with Jesus' direct questions that when asked of ourselves, provoke some thoughtful introspection. In 25 short chapters, Wilcox examines such questions and expounds and enlightens for our benefit. Examples: What seek Ye? Believe that I am able to do this? Why trouble ye her? Will Ye also go away? Whom say ye that I am? Lovest Thou me?
I absolutely love this book. What an enriching treasure on so many levels. I would read one chapter at a time and let it ruminate in my mind for days, filling a notebook with thoughts and impressions.
I Highly Recommend it!
The New Testament is filled with Jesus' direct questions that when asked of ourselves, provoke some thoughtful introspection. In 25 short chapters, Wilcox examines such questions and expounds and enlightens for our benefit. Examples: What seek Ye? Believe that I am able to do this? Why trouble ye her? Will Ye also go away? Whom say ye that I am? Lovest Thou me?
I absolutely love this book. What an enriching treasure on so many levels. I would read one chapter at a time and let it ruminate in my mind for days, filling a notebook with thoughts and impressions.
I Highly Recommend it!
September 15, 2020
I love Michael Wilcox! His insight into scriptures always amazes me! I listened to this audio book (I think it would make for a great read/study). He introduces his book by talking about how he has spent his life asking God questions, but realized maybe he should pay more attention to the questions God asks us in the scriptures. Then the book goes through these questions and explores what we can think about in relation to those questions. I love the title of this book as it really captured my attention in considering that with all my praying and asking of God, what is it I really want him to do for me?? What is it I really want? These are great questions for pondering!
September 22, 2020
Another beautiful, thought-provoking, deeply moving book from Michael Wilcox! I love the concept of this book; rather than focusing on the questions we often ask Jesus, this is about the questions he asked his followers and others in the New Testament. And of course, these questions are for us today. Because Wilcox is so real and not even slightly self-righteous, he's easy to connect with, and because of his beautiful way of communicating, I always find myself doing a lot of pondering when I read one of his books. This one was certainly no exception. It's 146 pages packed with goodness!
August 4, 2020
I really enjoyed this book that puts the Savioor’s masterful teaching power on display through highlighting His questions. There are lessons galore in this book and I’m now dwelling with a greater desire to learn from these questions. A wonderful key idea in this book is: sometimes God is the questioner and we give the answers. Our Heavenly Father is fully interested in our growth and development.
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