Jesus the Sage
Jesus the Sage
I’ve enjoyed our summer foray into wisdom literature. I didn’t think preaching on Proverbs would be as fun as it has turned out to be.
We may not read often from the biblical book of Proverbs, but wisdom for a better life is something that is commonly sought after. Have you ever walked through the self-help section of a bookstore? Shelf after shelf of books offering wisdom on what we can do to make our lives a little bit better.
The Bible isn’t a self-help book, but Jesus was definitely a sage… a wisdom teacher. Jesus shared his wisdom with people through his lifestyle. He takes his disciples with him, and they watch the rhythm of his life – prayer and solitude giving way to teaching and service. He invites us to do the same
Cynthia Bourgeault in The Wisdom of Jesus: Transforming the Heart and Mind – a New Perspective on Christ and His Message, offers this imaginative scene from Luke’s gospel:
“’But the crowds got to know where he had gone, and they went after him. He made them welcome, and he talked to them about the kingdom of God, and he cured those who were in need of healing.’ (Luke 9:11)
Can’t you just imagine the apostles, standing at Jesus’ side, watching him, noticing how he does things: how he talks to people, how he waits, how he listens, how he’s patient, how he depends upon God, how he takes time for prayer, how he doesn’t respond cynically or bitterly, but trustfully and yet truthfully?
Can you imagine a more powerful way to learn?”
More than any self-help book on the bookstore shelf, Jesus offers us not just tips for better living. Jesus shows by example the way to abundant life. We are invited to imitate the rhythm of his life – prayer and solitude giving way to teaching and service.
And these deeper, timeless, and deeply personal questions that Jesus asked of the disciples, we are invited to ask of ourselves:
What does it mean to die before you die?
How do you go about losing your little life to find the bigger one?
Is it possible to live on this planet with a generosity, abundance, fearlessness, and beauty that mirrors God?
These are wisdom questions, and Jesus asks them of us.
Go make peace, my friends.
Pastor Leanne
Community Presbyterian Church
32202 Del Obispo
San Juan Capistrano. CA 92675
949-493-1502
info@sjcpres.org