The religious and political leaders with the support of a mob criminalized the perfect Son of God. They crucified Jesus the God of love between two criminals.
Recently, as I was spending time before the Lord in prayer, He said to me, “This is the only way to exist among My people. You must forgive their failures and yours.”
The Lord also showed me that though serving Him involves conflict, He is with us in those moments. When Jesus ministered in synagogues of Galilee, despite the hostility of some towards Him, He still did miracles in those settings. He urges me to focus on the captives who were set free during the ministry, and not on those who chose to remain in bondage.
Job spoke of mining. “Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place where gold is refined. Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore. Man puts an end to darkness and searches every recess for ore in the darkness and the shadow of death. He breaks open a shaft away from people; in places forgotten by feet they hang far away from men; they swing to and fro. As for the earth, from it comes bread, but underneath it is turned up as by fire; its stones are the source of sapphires, and it contains gold dust.” [2]
God has designed the earth’s soil as a location to grow food, and below the soil a location to find hidden treasures. Yet, God has in His reserve a greater treasure than delicious food, precious stones and rare metals.
“But where can wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding? Man does not know its value, nor is it found in the land of the living. The deep says, ‘It is not in me;’ and the sea says, ‘It is not with me.’ It cannot be purchased for gold, nor can silver be weighed for its price. It cannot be valued in the gold of Ophir, in precious onyx or sapphire. Neither gold nor crystal can equal it, nor can it be exchanged for jewelry of fine gold. No mention shall be made of coral or quartz, for the price of wisdom is above rubies. The topaz of Ethiopia cannot equal it, nor can it be valued in pure gold.” [3]
God’s wisdom and understanding are of more value than delicious food, precious stones, and rare metals.
Where is wisdom and understanding found? The answer is: “Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to depart from evil is understanding.” [4]
The Lord Jesus shows us what the Spirit of the Fear of the Lord and the Spirit of understanding look like when robed in human flesh. Jesus Messiah is the One of whom the prophet Isaiah wrote: “There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots. The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.” [5]
While seldom valued by political and religious leaders, and definitely despised by self-serving mobs, Jesus demonstrated for us that God’s wisdom and understanding are worth more than a pearl of great price. Of greater worth than a treasure hidden a field! [6]
Wisdom and understanding are treasures that God gives to His servants.
God’s wisdom and understanding help us avoid an eternity in hell and to inherit an eternal happiness with God forever in His kingdom of love. God’s wisdom and understanding help us to navigate trials and come out finer than gold.
God is so good: “He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold. My foot has held fast to His steps; I have kept His way and not turned aside. I have not departed from the commandment of His lips; I have treasured the Words of His mouth more than my necessary food.” [7]
Comparing ourselves with those who live to gratify the flesh is not helpful. Keeping our focus on God as the treasure we seek is helpful.
“To you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, ‘The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone,’ and ‘a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense.’ They stumble, being disobedient to the Word, to which they also were appointed. But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.” [8]
“Yes, the Almighty will be your gold and your precious silver.” [9]
[1] Luke 23:34
[2] Job 28:1-6
[3] Job 28:12-19
[4] Job 28:28
[5] Isaiah 11:2
[6] Matthew 13:44-46
[7] Job 23:10-12
[8] 1 Peter 2:7-10
[9] Job 22:25
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