Wisdom in The Bible: Wisdom Is A Person

This blog delves into the profound personification of wisdom in the Bible. It explores how it can help us live wisely today.

‘The degree to which we give ourselves over to Jesus is the degree to which we will find ourselves growing in wisdom.’ Daniel Grothe

The disciple Matthew, a former tax collector, wrote Matthew's Gospel between AD 50 and 60. It is written for a Jewish audience. In fact, Matthew, a Jew himself, wrote his gospel describing Jesus’ life and ministry to show that Jesus is King, Israel’s Messiah.

Wisdom is a person

Today’s passage comes from the final words of the ‘Sermon on the Mount’: Jesus’ most famous body of teaching. The Sermon on the Mount is the ultimate guidebook for life in God’s Kingdom. Today’s theme is “Wisdom is a Person.”. We’ll hear Jesus’ final words from the ‘Sermon on the Mount’: His most famous body of teaching. “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house and it fell with a great crash.” When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching. Matthew 7: 24-28

Wisdom is found in Jesus

As Christians, growing in wisdom is not the same thing as growing in knowledge. It is not simply about expanding our minds or learning new things. For Christians, wisdom is something far more intricate and intimate. For Christians, wisdom is a person: the son of God, the man named Jesus, who came to the world to reveal exactly who God is, who we are, and how we should live. As Pastor and Author Daniel Grothe says: “Wisdom is not to be confused with our present-day fascination with positive tips and life hacks and five-step strategies for learning how to navigate life more successfully. It is more specific... wisdom is found as we worship—and only as we worship—Jesus, the Word of God made flesh.”

Wisdom in the Bible: Growing in love

Growing in wisdom therefore looks less like studying for a doctorate and more like falling in love. It looks less like applying our minds to the discipline of learning and more like applying our whole lives to the discipline of loving. Jesus is the source of wisdom, and as we grow deeper in our relationship with him, we find ourselves growing in wisdom as a consequence. In today’s passage, we see Jesus invite us into the way of wisdom. He is clear that walking with Him is not only about listening to Him but also about putting His words into practice. If we do this, He says, we will be like a wise person who has built their life on a rock. Our lives will have a secure foundation to withstand the storms and trials of life.

Wisdom in the Bible: Whole-life discipleship

The opposite is also true. If we ignore or simply relegate the words of Jesus to our minds and don’t let them overflow into lifestyles modeled in his wisdom, we will be like people whose lives are built on sand. When we face trials and challenges, we will find ourselves falling apart as we lack the foundation to anchor and secure us. What Jesus is asking of us is whole-life discipleship. In fact, its a way of growing in our relationship with him that doesn’t only expand our minds. It will also overflow into our hearts, our hands, and our whole bodies. Following Jesus should compel us into a transformed lifestyle. A life of love that puts into practice the teaching of Jesus.

Walking in wisdom

As Jesus walked the earth, He taught and acted as one who was wisdom personified. His wisdom was so vast that the crowds asked: “What’s this wisdom that has been given him?” Mark 6:2 The more we grow in relationship with Jesus, the more we too will walk in the way of wisdom. Consequently, our lives will also beg this question: ‘What’s this wisdom that has been given to him/her?!’ If growing in wisdom looks like worshiping Jesus, how might you develop a posture of worship in your everyday life? This may look like listening to worship music on your commute. Or starting your day praying through the Lord’s Prayer or a powerful Psalm. Take a moment to choose one simple act of worship that you could incorporate into your week. Why not give it a try? Why not start today?

Let’s pray

Jesus, thank you for the wisdom that comes from knowing you. Please help me to anchor myself to your words, building the foundation of my life on you. May I be someone who doesn’t just hear your words and forget them. I pray your words will shape every moment of my day.In Jesus’ name, Amen.Discussion Question: What is your favorite way of worshiping Jesus? Photos by Eberhard Grossgasteiger