During Lent we are encouraged to think more deeply about Jesus, his teachings, works and the real meaning of the cross and resurrection. The first response to Jesus was:- "Rabbi, you are a teacher sent by God" (John 3:2). If we had been better students of his wisdom, our world would be a much safer place and we would have saved ourselves much personal trouble due to foolishness.

Some of the more profound wisdom of Jesus must be 'detected' in the Gospels, because by the time they were written, AD 70-100, the early church had taken some doctrinal positions that did not reflect Jesus. I remember an article in the "Expository Times" claiming that Jesus could not have said:- "The kingdom of heaven is within you" (Luke 17:21) because the Church was teaching that the kingdom of heaven was above and only its leaders could interpret its meanings. For centuries the Church leaders tried to prevent people reading the scriptures for themselves, which is why Tyndale was burned at the stake. Well, thank God, some of the profound sayings of Jesus were recorded and these are among his many, "Truths that can set us free". (John 8:32).

As I read the Gospels I think that a key to understanding Jesus may be in the word 'balance'. Jesus could bring together in a vital tension, what we often think must be kept apart. We love to try seeing things as back or white; good or bad; saints or sinners when usually most things are grey and we are each saints and sinners. So, Luke 17:21 might be interpreted:- "The kingdom of heaven is with your and among you". Jesus could hold in balance heavenly realities and at the same time very earthy details; so, "Jesus knowing he had come from God and was going to God, took a towel and washed his disciples feet". (John 13:3) What a cosmic context in which to hold a particular circumstance. So God-consciousness and using towel need to be kept together in a spiritual balance and the more we do this so the better will we, ' do the dishes'. Life is not a matter of head in the clouds or feet on the ground., but head in the clouds AND feet on the ground. Shakespeare caught this balance in the speech made over the body of Brutus:-
"His life was a gentle and the elements so mixed in him, that nature might stand up and say to all the world, behold here was a man."

Another example of this 'mixture' in the teachings of Jesus is his call to "have faith in God as Father and have no anxious thoughts about tomorrow". (Mark 6:34) This basic trust in God is balanced by the repeated calls of Jesus to be good stewards of the skills and resources we have been given, for or own support and our ability to help others. God does help those who also help themselves and the 'mix' is such that we cannot tell when we are working, or God is working through us. The truth is, that our work is the result of our efforts AND God working within us, "to will and to do his good pleasure." (Phillipians 2:13).

Jesus had a lot to say about money. On the one side he warned us not to expect too much from our wealth (Luke12:15), or we will be disappointed; yet Jesus also wanted every aspect of our physical and material lives to reflect our Son-ship to God and discipleship to him. So, when we bring our offerings, with our worship, and lay them on the altar, we are making a practical expression of true Christian spirituality. Jesus lives in the constant awareness God, yet he could link giving a child a cup of cold water with a reward in heaven and assure us that God knows every hair on our head. Here is high spirituality and down-to-earth realism, held together in natural unity. Jesus believed Psalm 24:1 which affirms that the whole earth is the Lords and everyone in it. A deep secret of life is to try to see God in everything and everyone in God. Another expression of this is, that "Whatever Jesus did, he did well" (Mark 7:37) What an enrichment to our daily lives if we did try to make every day a Sabbath and every act a sacrament. A high ideal of course, and beyond us in perfection, but also a standard to keep in mind and one we can practice and one we can practice every hour.

Another sphere of wisdom is Jesus was the way in which he balanced individuality with social responsibility. Jesus prayed that his followers might al be one under his Lordship, (John 17:22) yet he also challenged every disciple to be true to his own uniqueness. Here is a difficult balance to hold, yet central to corporate life and Christian discipleship. When Jesus asked his disciples, "Who do men say I am?", He followed immediately with, "Who do YOU say I am?" (Matthew 16:5) When asked as to what is the greatest commandment, Jesus quoted the Old Testament, but added something important; "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and strength and with all your mind". (Matthew 22:37) This is another piece of wisdom which survived in spite of the early Church's reluctance to let people think for themselves. Jesus envisaged a oneness in his 'Church', but not at the expense of personal integrity and this balance is of vital importance to personal and social life.

Perhaps one of the most unexpected glimpse of this comes in Luke 12:57 where Jesus seems exasperated with his disciples and says:- "Why can't you judge for yourselves the right course and follow it?" After reminding them that they could forecast the weather from signs in the sky, he accused them of not being able to see what was really going on in their personal and social affairs. Here is a vital aspect for wisdom. We hear news- broadcasts, we read newspapers, we get surface facts about different situations and policies; but do we really discern what is happening and where we moderns are going? Wisdom is facing reality, accepting it and doing our best to deal with it for the benefit of all concerned with the help of God. Driving on at increasing speed, may be stupid if we are on the wrong road.

I had intended to list more examples from the Sermon on the Mount, but general principles are sufficient. In conclusion let me say that the most profound wisdom of Jesus is in the meaning of the Cross and Resurrection which we will consider next month.

However let us remember that in Mark 7:24 Jesus emphasised that his teachings were only of value to the extent that we did them. Some of us enjoy collecting wise thoughts and witty saying, but this can be egotistical and self-deceptive. It is not what we know, but what we live by that is important. By these we will be remembered on earth and be judged hereafter.

Don't take my word for it , read the Gospels for yourself and learn form the 'TEACHER SENT BY GOD'.

Ken Roach