The Wisdom of His Teachings--Insights Taught, A Reflective Life Lived

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Sabbath School Class—Life as Discovery and Hope
April 26, 2008
Larry R Evans

There will be no regular teaching notes this week due to my speaking schedule, however, we have expanded the Reflective Review section for this week. The questions below are meant to stimulate thought in light of the passages placed in brackets.

Quiz for Reflection

1. The teachers of Christ’s day didn’t have the authority He had because they taught the law. [Mk 1:22] True or False?

2. We would add to the blessings of others if we insulted them. [Mt 5:11] True or False?

3. Little children have an advantage over adult worshipers when it comes to being accepted by God. [Mt 18:5,6] True or False?

4. Loving and being lovable is the prerequisite for being forgiven. [Lk 7:36-50; 17:3,4] True or False?

5. Forgiveness disregards past behavior. [Mt 6:12-15; Jn 21:15-19] True or False?

6. Christ did not discourage the ambition to be great. [Mt 18] True or False?

7. While Jesus believed in righteousness by faith He also taught righteousness by faith plus works. [Mt 20:1-5; Jn 8:11] True or False?

8. When love is returned, according to Jesus, it becomes the basis for righteousness being imputed. [Lk 7:36-48] True or False?

9. A sense of helplessness precedes righteousness. [Mt 14:30; Jn 1:14; Lk 15:19,21] True or False?

10. Jesus had less tolerance for hypocrisy than for sin. [Jn 8:1-11] True or False?

11. “The most impressive thing about the teachings of Jesus is not that he taught them but that he appears to have lived them.” True or False?

Reflective Review

Wisdom is more than knowledge. It implies an insightful understanding and application of knowledge which is broader and deeper than an accumulation of informational facts. There was something about the way Jesus taught and interacted with others, for example, which caused them to stop and ponder and sometimes challenge their own perspectives. Wisdom can do that. However, wisdom is inextricably connected with the person. It is not something which can be isolated or confined to quotes or sayings recorded overtime. The way Jesus lived gave substance to what he verbally taught. One would think that wisdom would be appreciated by all but such is not the case. True, lasting wisdom often stands in contradiction to conventional wisdom. Distinguishing the two is at times a formidable challenge and often made more difficult, spiritually speaking, by satanic forces attempting to manipulate the conscience. Indeed, seekers of true wisdom must have a source not easily influenced by the headlines of the moment. Convenient truth does not equal eternal wisdom. They often oppose each other. The following insightful statement by Ellen White describes not only Christ’s way of teaching, but the context of his own personhood. He was what he taught. He lived wisdom and from that he gained authority. Regardless of the one teaching, wisdom is not always appreciated. There are competing forces when learners are receptive. Learning to listen to true wisdom has never been easy. Ponder the following:

“The life of Christ was filled with words and acts of benevolence, sympathy, and love. He was ever attentive to listen to and relieve the woes of those who came to Him. Multitudes carried in their own persons the evidence of His divine power. Yet after the work had been accomplished, many were ashamed of the humble yet mighty teacher. Because the rulers did not believe on Him, the people were not willing to accept Jesus. He was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. They could not endure to be governed by His sober, self-denying life. They wished to enjoy the honor which the world bestows. Yet many followed the Son of God and listened to His instructions, feasting upon the words which fell so graciously from His lips. His words were full of meaning, yet so plain that the weakest could understand them.

Satan and his angels blinded the eyes and darkened the understanding of the Jews, and stirred up the chief of the people and the rulers to take the Saviour's life. Others were sent to bring Jesus unto them; but as they came near where He was they were greatly amazed. They saw Him filled with sympathy and compassion, as He witnessed human woe. They heard Him in love and tenderness speak encouragingly to the weak and afflicted. They also heard Him, in a voice of authority, rebuke the power of Satan and bid his captives go free. They listened to the words of wisdom that fell from His lips, and they were captivated; they could not lay hands on Him. They returned to the priests and elders without Jesus. When asked, "Why have ye not brought Him?" they related what they had witnessed of His miracles, and the holy words of wisdom, love, and knowledge which they had heard, and ended with saying, ‘Never man spake like this man.’ The chief priests accused them of being also deceived, and some of the officers were ashamed that they had not taken Him. The priests inquired in a scornful manner if any of the rulers had believed on Him. I saw that many of the magistrates and elders did believe on Jesus; but Satan kept them from acknowledging it; they feared the reproach of the people more than they feared God.” Ellen G White in Early Writings, p. 160.

James has it right. We are not left alone to discern right from wrong nor how to live amidst the trials of this life. The wisdom of Jesus, if it teaches us anything, teaches us to go to the source of all wisdom.

“If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6 But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.” [James 1:5-8] (NIV)