In the Gospel of Matthew we read:
Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, 2 “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.” (Matthew 2:1-2 NLT)
And the reality is that ever since that day wise men and women have continued to seek Jesus! And in seeking him have found what turns out to be the very fulfilment of the wisdom that we are learning about in the book of Proverbs.
Consider the following truths from the New Testament concerning Jesus:
Paul writes to the Colossian church that he desires them to have complete confidence that they understand God’s mysterious plan, which is Christ himself. 3 In him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. (Colossians 2:3 NLT)
Then to the Corinthians he writes that Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God… God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and he freed us from sin. (Corinthians 1:25,30 NLT)
When we contemplate the life and words of Jesus in the Gospels we recognize this incredible wisdom from God. For example, in Mark we read that:
Jesus left that part of the country and returned with his disciples to Nazareth, his hometown. 2 The next Sabbath he began teaching in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. They asked, “Where did he get all this wisdom and the power to perform such miracles?” (Mark 6:1-2 NLT)
Later, following the death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus, the disciples began to preach concerning the treasures of wisdom and knowledge that had been revealed to them in Jesus, and the people were again amazed as they proclaimed Jesus and said:
12 “There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.”
We then read that:
13 The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men with no special training in the Scriptures.
And so, what was their secret?
They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus. (Acts 4:12-13 NLT)
And this is still the only way to experience true wisdom from God in our lives today!
Keller writes:
“See how personal Christianity is, for its deepest secret of wisdom comes not through massive learning and education but through an intimate relationship with a humble man [Jesus]…”
He continues:
“True wisdom is not a set of principles but a supernatural person. And we receive this wisdom not simply through acts of the will but through the transformation of our heart and desires by worshipping him.
Proverbs constantly insists that wisdom takes time to develop, and this makes sense if wisdom is a person and we have to learn how he thinks, what his attitudes are, and what actions would please him. Will you make the time to know Jesus in his Word and become wise?” (# 51)
So, my prayer for you this Christmas is that, like the wise men of old you will also diligently and wholeheartedly seek Jesus and find in Him all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge that you will need to live now and in Eternity, remembering that Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and he freed us from sin.
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him,
Christ the Lord.
(O Come, All Ye Faithful by John Francis Wade)
Worship and Wisdom - Psalms and Proverbs 