Human wisdom versus

 the wisdom which comes from God.

In the previous article, Wisdom 1, we described the clash in the centuries before Christ of the human-centred Greek world-view and the God-centred Jewish world-view. That was the background and prompting of the later books of the Old Testament like Daniel, Ecclesiastes, Proverbs, Wisdom, Ecclesiasticus Jonah and Job, all of which were written during that period. They were written to expound the basic fact that all wisdom comes from knowing and loving God. Not from mankind independently of God.

Although the Roman Empire seemed radically committed to Greek thought, it would, within 350 years, embrace Christianity, the fulfilment of Jewish wisdom. They believed that they had dealt the deathblow to Christianity when they killed St Peter and St Paul (Photos above). But, no matter how radically committed they were, the word 'radical' means 'roots' and if roots are defective a plant will perish. They could not suppress the Good News of Christ, because he is the root of all life and wisdom.

How do we access this life and wisdom which is Christ? Time and again in the Gospels, when Jesus was asked for a miracle, he asked “do you believe?” The honest response from most was that of the Father of the sick girl: “Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief”. Jesus was not asking for perfect faith but enough trust to crack open the persons heart to begin to trust God first and foremost. Once we open that crack, the warmth of God begins to heal and cleanse our spirits. Maturing spirits bring maturing wisdom.

Jesus formed a band of people to whom he revealed that he is in fact God. They taught people to know and trust Jesus. That is the basis of Christianity. He told them at the Last Supper that the world would know him through their words and their love. The more we actively trust him, the more our relationship and knowing of him grows, and with it comes closeness, love and understanding. With it also comes wisdom. The age old search for wisdom leads to the personal encounter with Jesus.

Jesus talked to them not only about  knowing him, but loving him. That is the mysterious deeply personal relationship which his people are called into. Not long before he ascended to Heaven he asked Peter who had lost all his bluster and self-importance "Do you love me?" and he asked this three times. We each will hear him asking us the same question - many times.

The beginning of Wisdom is Fear of the Lord.

For most of my life I have struggled with the Bible’s teaching that “the beginning of wisdom is fear of the Lord” (Ecclesiastes 1: 11-20, Proverbs 1: 7 and 9: 10, and Psalm 111: 10). How can you reconcile fear with love? I was taught that the fear of the Lord is really the fear of losing him, but that never seemed convincing. But last Christmas, I was thinking about the way the shepherds were “terrified” when the angel appeared.

Looking back, isn’t fear the normal reaction of people in the Bible who came close to God or an angel of God? And what about Peter, James and John on Mount Tabor as Jesus is transfigured? They are not afraid as Jesus is transfigured in glory: but when the Father’s cloud comes down and covers them, and from the cloud the Father spoke, they “fell on their faces, overcome with fear” (Matthew 17: 6). Was this the fear I normally experience, namely dread of an imminent evil? Or was it rather Awe?

Sometimes in prayer, I feel my breath taken away by the closeness of God. It is stunning but also heart-breaking, because deep within I sense a profound demand that I must give myself, and I don’t know if I can. The Majesty, which I sense is such a towering mystery that I feel that somehow my self is too fragile to stand it. I want to enter into it, but it vanishes as I hesitate.

What I think is happening is that Jesus, whom I increasingly know and share my life with, is introducing me to the Father. I really believe that this awe will become more as I yield to the presence. I think that is what Christian contemplation is. I think it is the beginning of wisdom. I think that "fear of the Lord" is really that terrifying yet longing awe that we experience when we sense the majesty of our Father.

Jesus' question, "Do you love me?" isn't just about him. We cannot separate him from the Father whose loving presence he lived and breathed at every moment. It is a case of "Love me, love my Father in whose love I bask". What an invitation!

Lord Jesus, reveal to us our Father of Love! Teach us to pray! Thus comes wisdom.