The Pursuit of Wisdom (Free Version)
All of our lectionary texts this week require us to admit that we need something outside of ourselves to fully embrace the life of God.
In 1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14, we have a transition of power. David has died. David’s son Solomon is now the king. God tells Solomon to “Ask what I should give you.” In other words, “What do you want?” Solomon’s response tells us that he is concerned that will not have the wisdom necessary to exercise authority for the people. Solomon does not really ask for a thing. He doesn’t ask for long life or wealth or even the death of his enemies. Solomon asks to know the heart of God Himself. Solomon wants to know God and to walk with God. Solomon’s longing was the longing to know God and it reflects the human longing for the person of Christ.
In Ephesians 5:15-20, the Church is told to “be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise…” Specifically, be careful in how and what you worship. Do not worship in ways that cause you to be drunk and chase after experiences—worshipping money, influence, or power. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Paul commands specific kinds of singing: psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, telling them to create patterns which are rooted in the story of God’s faithfulness. Give thanks!
Paul says that we are to sing these songs to one another and unto the Lord. We could say that Christian singing has a “horizontal” purpose as well as a “vertical” one. When we sing songs, it forms us in some way both individually and communally.
Paul realizes that, if you want to live as Resurrection People, if you want to live the wise life, not the foolish life, you have to strengthen yourself and your community in your minds and hearts. One of the best ways to do that is to strengthen your mind and heart with themes of thankfulness, of God’s faithfulness.
Finally, in John 6:51-58, Jesus tells the crowds to “eat my flesh and drink my blood.” This was (and is!) a difficult and disturbing image. We are told that this is the reason why so many people stopped following Him. Jesus is calling God’s people to receive the life that he gives, to accept his sacrifice on their behalf, and to partake in the New Exodus from sin and death, to live God’s new world here and now.
We have the opportunity to “eat His flesh” and “drink His blood” when we receive communion. John doesn’t specifically mention the order of the eucharist here, but there is no doubt that he has it in mind. We believe that, when we take this meal, week after week, we are forming ourselves, we are pointing ourselves towards Jesus and His sacrifice.
We are saved by grace. Christ accepts us just as we are, and calls us by His grace. And, He is calling us to be formed into something, to be changed, to be made new. Receiving communion is a way that we lean into this transformation, we yield to God’s grace, we participate in Christ’s sacrifice. That is the goal of our lives, that we would constantly desire to follow hard after God’s heart for us.
Looking for more? Check out our subscription options. Our “Deep Dive” this week features more on the Old Testament text (What was up with Solomon’s marriage pact with the Egyptian Pharaoh?) and the theme of “Lady Wisdom” in the Old Testament; in the Ephesians text, we look at the cult of Dionysius (the god of wine) which Paul may have in mind; we take a more detailed look at the ways Jesus’ words offended the crowds and we feature the work of Lesslie Newbigin, Nicholas Wolterstorff, and an article on “boring” church services.