Podcast Summary: The Wake-Up Call
Episode: The Question of All Questions
Host: John David Walt (with David Walt)
Date: February 24, 2026
Theme: Reorienting Life Around Jesus—Exploring the Foundational Question of Faith During Lent
Episode Overview
In this Lenten episode of The Wake-Up Call, host John David Walt invites listeners to move beyond superficial spiritual practices and reflect deeply on Jesus’ most foundational question: “Who do you say I am?” The episode combines personal storytelling, biblical reflection (Mark 8:27–29), practical challenges, and encouragement for deeper intimacy with Jesus. The goal is to evoke a living, personal response rather than a rote answer, as the community journeys toward the cross together.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Rethinking Lent: More Than Giving Up
- Opening Humor & Challenge: John begins with light-hearted comments about Taco Tuesday and clarifies his approach to Lent:
- “I’m not giving up anything for Lent. I’m taking up my cross for Lent. And that’s a different kind of thing.” [00:47]
- Deeper Focus: Rather than just abstaining from pleasures, John encourages a focus on “who you’re taking up—Jesus.”
- “Turn that focus from what you’re giving up to who you’re taking up.” [01:24]
- Invitation: Lent is framed as a season to draw close, likening it to being Zacchaeus climbing to get a glimpse of Jesus or the woman pressing through the crowd:
- “We must have, we must see Jesus. That’s what we’re doing here.” [02:03]
2. The Question of All Questions: Mark 8:27–29
- Scripture Focus: The passage where Jesus asks, “Who do people say I am?” and, critically, “But what about you? Who do you say I am?”
- “Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah.’” [05:46]
- Contextual Background: John paints the scene at Caesarea Philippi—full of shrines, spiritual activity, and the ancient “Gates of Hades”:
- “Kind of like a national park for religious business.” [06:54]
- Personal Story: John recalls teaching his first confirmation class, emphasizing the question as the foundation of their exploration:
- “Write those six words in large, bold letters inside the front cover… That’s the question of all questions.” [08:38]
3. Living With the Question—Not Just Answering It
- Challenge Against Pat Answers: John underscores the risk of giving correct but not personally meaningful responses:
- “Do you see how it is possible to get the answer biblically and doctrinally correct and yet still miss the point?” [13:51]
- Depth of the Question: He presses listeners to engage honestly—beyond other people’s opinions or inherited teachings:
- “Who am I to you?...Not what do other people say… but you?” [14:26]
- The Relational Invitation: Is Jesus a historical figure, a “get out of jail free card,” or “your God?”:
- “Who do you say that I am—really?” [14:56]
4. Prayer & Journal Prompts
- Prayer: Thanksgiving for Jesus’ directness and heartfelt questioning, with a plea for deeper revelation:
- “Thank you for caring enough to ask us the question, Who do you say I am? ...We will live with the question in a deeper way.” [12:32]
- Reflection Prompts:
- Can you see how it’s possible to get the answer right, yet still miss the point?
- Who do you say Jesus is—truly and personally?
5. Becoming Jesus’s Friend—On Closeness During Lent
- Moving Up the Circles: John compares following Jesus to moving from the crowd, to the disciples, to the intimate circle of Peter, James, and John:
- “What we’re trying to do in the days of Lent is get closer in friendship to Jesus.” [16:43]
- Reciprocal Friendship: The idea that Jesus is ahead, waiting for each listener to draw near:
- “He’s waiting on us. He’s like, listen, you’re not waiting on me. I’m waiting on you.” [17:13]
Memorable Quotes & Moments (With Timestamps)
- “I’m not giving up anything for Lent. I’m taking up my cross for Lent. And that’s a different kind of thing.” — John [00:47]
- “Turn that focus from what you’re giving up to who you’re taking up. Jesus.” — John [01:24]
- “We must have, we must see Jesus. That’s what we’re doing here.” — John [02:03]
- “Who do you say I am?” ... That’s the question of all questions.” — John [05:46, 08:38]
- “Do you see how it is possible to get the answer biblically and doctrinally correct and yet still miss the point?” — John [13:51]
- “Who am I to you? Don’t go read my about section… Who am I to you?” — John [14:26]
- “What we’re trying to do in the days of Lent is get closer in friendship to Jesus.” — John [16:43]
- “He’s waiting on us. He’s like, listen, you’re not waiting on me. I’m waiting on you.” — John [17:13]
Notable Segments & Timestamps
- Lent Approach & Opening Reflection – [00:00–03:00]
- Prayer of Consecration – [03:05–04:50]
- Scripture Reading (Mark 8:27–29) – [05:17–05:46]
- Confirmation Class Story & The Question of All Questions – [06:30–09:00]
- Personal Challenge: Living With the Question – [13:00–15:00]
- Journal Prompts – [13:51–15:30]
- Song: “There’s Something About That Name” – [17:23–19:18]
- Field Team Invitation (Community Involvement) & Closing Remarks – [19:36–22:35]
Tone & Style
The episode maintains a warm, conversational, and authentic tone marked by personal anecdotes, humble inquiry, gentle humor, and heartfelt invitation. John models honest questioning and mutual encouragement, drawing the community into deeper spiritual reflection without pressure or easy answers.
Key Takeaways
- Lent is about pursuing deeper intimacy with Jesus, not just temporary self-denial.
- Jesus’s question—“Who do you say I am?”—is personal and central; it calls for more than inherited or intellectual answers.
- Community is vital; awakening to Jesus happens together, with each person helping others to “wake up and come fully alive in him.”
- Singing and simple practices reinforce the journey; sharing the experience (joining the “field team”) is part of spiritual growth.
For Listeners
This episode is an invitation to linger with the foundational question of faith, renew personal relationship with Jesus, and journey with others toward resurrection life—not just in knowledge, but in transformed hearts and lives.