Show Wisdom

Jun 10
3 min read

Our main objective so far has been to view and seek the wisdom of Jesus, as it stands above the wisdom of the Pharisees. Still using the description of wisdom given by James, concerning wisdom that does not come down from above, we shall see how the wisdom of the Pharisees, in this instance also, is earthly, sensual and demonic, as they try to get at Jesus. Jesus, the One Wise, whose wisdom far supersedes any other wisdom, as it is wisdom from above, shows His wisdom in unshaded light. Such is wisdom worth knowing and showing.

As tutored by Teacher Holy Spirit, we are examining evidence before us, as recorded in Matthew 22: 15 – 22.

In noting the supreme wisdom of Jesus, we begin with the wisdom of the Pharisees, who have been persistently trying to trap Jesus in His words, His preaching, teaching and speaking, for they want to show Him up as a false Teacher, to the unsuspecting people. Then the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might entangle Him in His talk. Matthew 22: 15. Note that the wisdom of Jesus, the words He speaks must be having quite an adverse effect on the Pharisees. In a reverse way, we can clearly see the wisdom of Jesus as more powerful than theirs. I say this because, had they more power and authority than Jesus, they would have commanded Jesus not to speak and He would have to comply. But as it stands, the only way in their earthly, human wisdom, which they can think of, to try to get at Jesus, is to set a trap for Him. Can’t you see it? It’s all so plain and clear? This is perfectly the wisdom of the world. It is earthly, mere base, human wisdom, which stoops so low, as to plan to trap and catch the wisdom that is from above. Jesus’ wisdom truly must be superior.

Even in our day, in our experiences, earthly wisdom still tries, with every opportunity it can muster up, to trap the words of heavenly wisdom and make the servants of God seem like fakes and frauds. Human wisdom cannot but stoop to all kinds of low ploys, to try and defeat the undefeatable wisdom, which comes down from above. Those who are wise with the wisdom of Jesus, have His understanding and good conduct. Nothing of self-seeking, bitterness and deceit are found in the servant of Jesus, who carries and displays His wisdom.

The Pharisees, in their human wisdom, think it wise, not to go to face Jesus themselves, but to send their learners, those who are under their tutelage. And they sent to Him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Teacher, we know that You are true, and teach the way of God in truth; nor do You care about anyone, for You do not regard the person of men. Matthew 22: 16. Now is this not something! Disciples of the world’s earthy wisdom, cannot but be trained and filled with the same wisdom as their leaders and teachers. It does not warrant any high intelligence on the part of anyone to know that if the teacher is corrupt, the learners will be corrupt also. It stands to sound reason therefore, if the Pharisees operate on wisdom that is sensual and most highly unspiritual, so will their disciples.

Whatever is their thinking, their wisdom in sending their disciples to stand against the wisdom of Jesus, does not really matter too much here. The wisdom which we are to hold, the wisdom that we are being shown is this. As the teacher, so the learner; as the master, so the servant; as the leader, so the follower. Jesus, in His immaculate, unsurpassed wisdom, has spoken and shown this indissoluble truth. Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Matthew 7: 17 – 18. In other words, if the source of wisdom is corrupt, then all who drink and feed from it will also be corrupt.

We are still plagued with leaders and teachers who do not show and know our Lord’s wisdom. We must heed our Lord’s wise warnings and turn away completely from such wisdom. His wisdom is ours for the asking. We all must reach for it and show it in our living. Be the Lord’s good fruit, showing His wisdom.