As often happens, a personal note in my friend, the Bible, made me sit up and take notice. What was it? Well, it was a note that I made in 1984 by a pastor who served with me, and others, on a task force for our Lutheran High School in Indianapolis. It goes like this: Wisdom in the cradle & the cross – Jesus! If my memory serves me, the comment was made by the late Reverend Dr. Robert Meier. As chair of this task force, I asked my friend Pastor Meier to lead us in a Bible study at most of our meetings during our year long journey.
On this particular day, Dr. Meier opened with this bolded statement. And then he just sat there and let it sink in. His comment was based on Paul’s first letter to the church at Corinth. (1:24). Paul’s words were, “Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.” While he was the senior pastor at a local Indianapolis congregation, I do not know much else about his background. But suffice is to say, he was wise – that is God’s wise. Our task force was formed by the board of directors to re-evaluate the organization, its governance, operation, and finance, among others. This Bible study on this day was extremely important to us then and to you and me today. Why? Let us see if we can study this phrase from my title’s perspective – Wisdom Personified!
This whole subject of wisdom has been debated since the beginning of time. Mostly, it has been from the aspect of its source – human or divine? According to Halley’s Bible Handbook, wisdom is found forty-one times (Book I, Proverbs) – and more than knowledge or insight. In chapter eight, Solomon personifies wisdom as a woman. In verse twenty-two, “The LORD possessed me (wisdom) at the beginning of his work, before his deeds of old. . .” This statement was also personified in John’s gospel. Yes, the Word (logos) became flesh and dwelt among us, says John 1:14. If He possessed wisdom at the beginning, then He certainly possessed it as the Son of Man! St. Paul comments to the church at Ephesus in his prayer for this missional church, that God would give them “the spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that they may know Him better.” (Ephesians 1:17)
In addition to Paul’s comment to the church at Corinth (1:24), Paul also addresses this subject matter to the church at Colossae. Paul writes encouragement to his new congregation that “they may have the full riches of complete understanding…may know the mystery of God, namely Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. (Colossians 2:2-3, paraphrased) These verses in God’s Word really tell us today that true wisdom comes from knowing God as our LORD and Savior – not the earthly knowledge or wisdom that may accrue to us during our journey on this earth. Wisdom has also been said to be more precious than rubies (Proverbs – see also Proverbs 9:10). Jesus’ brother, James, also says much about this spiritual wisdom. Listen, “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.” (James 3:17ff) And as my handwritten note in the margin says, wisdom is internal insight.
With all that background, what do you suppose the late Dr. Meier meant in his opening statement? Jesus, the wisdom from cradle to cross!! First of all, God is Wisdom from the beginning (Proverbs 8:22). God in His wisdom created a way out of our sinful existence to be reunited with Him via the blood of the Lamb of God (logos=Word). He was born (cradle) and dwelt among us, says John. And His journey over the land of Israel (and beyond) yielded a following that saw Him as the “wisdom of God,” and the promised Messiah from days of old. And this three year walk on earth was bountiful, yet painful, as our LORD, the wisdom of God, endured much for humankind. And His final journey as the wisdom of God was on Calvary’s cross to endure the pain and suffering that pervasive sin caused since Adam and Eve. Yes indeed, Christ is the wisdom of God from cradle to cross! Amen and Amen.
Let me leave this blog with one of my favorite quotes from Solomon’s Ecclesiastes, “(that) wisdom preserves the life of its possessor.” (Ecclesiastes 7:12b) Yes, Dr. Meier your message from decades past was taken to heart and has left me with the message that Wisdom is personified in our LORD and Savior, Jesus Christ. To God alone be praised!
Peace
Connected in Him, I stand
GHR
