jesus: wisdom, life, wealth, love, and god
"I give you a heart so wise and understanding that there has never been anyone like you up to now, and after you there will come no one to equal you." —1 Kings 3:12
Solomon prayed for wisdom, that is, for an understanding heart (1 Kgs 3:9). In his wisdom, Solomon had a long life, riches, and victory over his enemies (1 Kgs 3:13).
Jesus is greater than Solomon (Lk 11:31). Jesus did not merely pray for wisdom. He is our Wisdom (1 Cor 1:30). But His is a very different kind of wisdom: the wisdom of the cross (1 Cor 1:23-24).
Jesus, our Wisdom, lived only thirty-three years. He did not live a long life on earth. However, He is eternal and lives forever. He is Life (Jn 14:6; 11:25).
Jesus was poorer than foxes or birds, for they have dens or nests, but Jesus had nowhere to lay His head (Lk 9:58). Nevertheless, Jesus has "unfathomable riches" (Eph 3:8). He can be, not only our Wisdom and our Life, but also our Wealth (Phil 3:8).
Jesus was nailed to a cross and executed by His enemies. He in His wisdom did not have the victory of killing His enemies but of allowing them to kill Him. Jesus has the victory of love. He is not only our Wisdom, Life, and Wealth but also Love and God Himself (1 Jn 4:8, 16).
Give your life to Jesus, our crucified Wisdom (1 Cor 1:30).
Prayer: Jesus, You gave Your life for me. In Your wisdom, I give my life for You.
Promise: "Jesus saw a vast crowd. He pitied them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and He began to teach them at great length." —Mk 6:34
Praise: Maureen's prayer of "God's will be done" has sustained her through the untimely deaths of two family members and through personal illness.
Reference: (For a related teaching, order our leaflet, Accepting Jesus as Lord, Savior, and God, or on audio AV 43-1 or video V-43.)
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Robert L. Hagedorn, August 18, 2001
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, August 25, 2001