Wisdom Bears Fruit
Wisdom Bears Fruit
Matthew 11:18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, “He has a demon.’ 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, “Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ But wisdom is justified by her children.” 20 Then He began to rebuke the cities in which most of His mighty works had been done, because they did not repent: 21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
John the Baptist diet was locusts and honey so those opposed to him could not accuse him of being a glutton or a winebibber. So they accused him of having a demon instead.
Jesus attended a wedding feast, and by this time, He had also gathered to Himself certain men who left all to follow Him. In other words, Jesus was the influencer, not the other way around.
Due to their former occupations, His followers were not held in high regard among some. But wisdom is justified by her children. Jesus knew who He was choosing, and why. The men and women He chose did great things in His name to spread the good news of Jesus throughout the world. They bore fruit that proved His wisdom in choosing them to start with. We should bear in mind though that Jesus was always the leader. He was never the follower.
To hear how some speak today of what Jesus was like you get the impression Jesus was more like sinners than He was the righteous. That somehow He was more comfortable with people who did not care much for God, or His ways. That Jesus was perhaps a follower too, which would be inaccurate. Jesus came to bring light and life to those who are broken and in need of God’s mercy to help them. He came to make new creations that would be filled with the Holy Spirit and follow Him.
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
That means Jesus walked in wisdom according to grace and truth. Jesus was an influencer.
Proverbs 13:20 He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed.
The ones who followed Jesus called Him Rabbi, meaning teacher. They joined themselves to Him so they might learn from Him. Jesus was not influenced by them and learning from them. He was leading them. He was the influencer and teacher. Jesus did not abandon the wisdom he had given to Solomon.
Proverbs 12:26 The righteous should choose his friends carefully,
for the way of the wicked leads them astray.
This same wise counsel is carried over into the New Testament.
1Corinthians 15:33 Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.” 34 Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame.
We are not superior to those who have not yet come to Jesus, or even those who defiantly oppose God. We should seek to provide hope and answers wherever possible. We should especially seek to walk int he power of the Spirit.
One thing is certain, we should not be seeking to make a close inner circle friend out of someone who is defiantly opposed to God and His ways.
When it comes to relationships in life it is important to use wisdom. For how you choose in this area of your life will greatly impact your present, and your future. You have a choice in this area, so choose wisely. I encourage you to allow those who demonstrate wisdom to be your confidants and close friends.
