On July 24, 1824, the first opinion poll was conducted prior to the 1824 presidential election, showing Andrew Jackson leading John Quincy Adams by 335 votes to 169. An opinion poll is a human research survey of public opinion from a particular sample of the population, and involves the asking of a series of questions and then extrapolating generalities from the responses. As simple as it may seem to conduct an opinion poll, results are often deceiving and quite erroneous due to errors on the part of the pollster, the way that questions are asked in the opinion poll, or the failure of the responder to answer the questions honestly.
“Words from Above” in the Bible tell us that Jesus often asked His audiences their opinion about certain subjects, and they often asked Jesus His opinion about various subjects. The important thing to realize about Jesus is that He had an amazing ability to focus on the individual needs of the people asking Him questions, which allowed Him to establish a good rapport with them and engage them in meaningful conversation. He often asked His disciples questions as they traveled around from place to place, particularly asking them, “What do you think?”
One of the interesting ways that Jesus responded to questions by the religious authorities of His day was to answer their questions with a question of His own. Of course, He was even able to read their thoughts and the questions on their mind before they actually asked a question. After healing a man who was lame, Jesus told him that his sins were also forgiven, and they thought in their mind, “Who can forgive sins but God alone?” So, Jesus then asked them, “Which is easier to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven’ or to say ‘Get up and walk?’ His real point was that He could both forgive sins and also heal the lame, and one was just as easy for Him to do as the other.
Jesus was once questioned about His authority to teach in the Temple, so He agreed to answer them if they could answer His question first. So, he asked whether the authority of John the Baptist to baptize was from heaven or from human authority. They realized that if they said it was from heaven they would be recognizing that the authority for Jesus to teach had also come from heaven. They also realized that if they said John’s authority came from men, they would anger those who followed John’s ministry. So, they decided not to answer at all, and to not press Jesus for the answer to their question. We cannot never outsmart the Master.
Larry R. Steffee is pastor of the Center Hill Brethren In Christ Church on Miller Road in Smithville. Everyone is welcome to attend. For information, you may email lrsteffeetn@yahoo.com.
