Where Did Jesus Get All This Wisdom and Power?
Good Morning Friends,
Today we explore the thought that everything good we have in this life is a gift of God so that we can enjoy God in our life. It brings us to the reality that we do not really own anything, but would like to think we do. If fact most people would like to own just enough God in their lives to bring ecstasy but no responsibility. Most people have been inoculated with a slight case of Christianity so that they do not get the real thing. Having written this we now ask a question that is also asked in today’s scripture from Matthew and answer it, in part, with a passage from James: Where Did Jesus Get All This Wisdom and Power?
Scripture: but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall die.
Genesis 2:17 (NRSV)
He came to his hometown and began to teach the people in their synagogue, so that they were astounded and said, “Where did this man get this wisdom and these deeds of power? Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? And are not all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all this?” And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, “Prophets are not without honor except in their own country and in their own house.” And he did not do many deeds of power there, because of their unbelief.
Matthew 13:54-58 (NRSV)
Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. In fulfillment of his own purpose he gave us birth by the word of truth, so that we would become a kind of first fruits of his creatures. You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger; for your anger does not produce God’s righteousness. Therefore rid yourselves of all sordidness and rank growth of wickedness, and welcome with meekness the implanted word that has the power to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves. For if any are hearers of the word and not doers, they are like those who look at themselves in a mirror; for they look at themselves and, on going away, immediately forget what they were like. But those who look into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and persevere, being not hearers who forget but doers who act—they will be blessed in their doing. If any think they are religious, and do not bridle their tongues but deceive their hearts, their religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.
James 1:17-27 (NRSV)
Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
Colossians 3:2-3 (NRSV)
Message: Here is the thing, the knowledge of good and evil is a troubling thing and it is a difficult thing for humans to handle… I find it especially difficult when it comes to the conflict of cultures and a desire to be kind. Since there is both good and bad in just about everything including us, it makes it almost impossible to benefit a person to know what God asked Adam and Eve to avoid. From just about the very foundation of creation, it was clear that there’s good and bad in the world. But only GOD can handle that knowledge and that is why it is forbidden knowledge to His creation. Only GOD deserves that knowledge. People feel provoked by it and it upsets them. The reality is that people want something that makes them comfortable with who they already are and how they already are. They want acceptance as they are, not repentance so they can be who they ought to be. But a practical belief in God must manifest itself in good works, not just a mere profession of faith. We must believe but also act. Maybe we cannot own the good works but we can share in the experience of them with God. The purpose of this message and the purpose of today’s scripture is to challenge believers to possess an active faith which will produce real changes in their conduct and character. Friends, God loves us. Those of us who are kind do not have to become cynical. Deacons like Stephen do not have to be stoned to death. There is an alternative to anger but it means going deeper with God so we might abound in the love of a suffering servant. Friends, the history of Israel tells the story of a rebellious relationship with God that can only be reconciled in Christ. Jesus received from our Father in heaven the power and wisdom to set the stage for this to happen. This same power of severe love is offered to us as well. So, what are you and I going to do about it?
Pray if we are kind, and we should be, that we not become pessimistic. Pray
we have souls that explode with love in the face of conflicts. Pray our sleep is disturbed when others are in pain. Pray we are willing to suffer though transformation. Pray we are willing to choose a new birth over the warmth of a womb. Pray we produce fruit and give the best to God.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 