Thank you, children, for telling us all about Jesus’ birth and why he came. This morning we’re looking at another dream that also teaches us more about who Jesus is. Do you remember King Solomon? King Solomon ruled over Israel and when he was king, there were no wars, he was a king of peace. Later on, people waited for the Messiah who was going to bring peace to all the earth. Solomon’s name even means peace. King Solomon was known for his great wisdom, lots of people from all over the world came to learn from him.
When Solomon first becomes king, God comes to him in a dream and offers Solomon anything he wants! “Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?” Solomon asks God for wisdom because he knows being king is going to be really hard. God’s happy with Solomon’s choice! Solomon knows that he needs God to give him wisdom to be a great king for God. He asks to be able to know right from wrong and to rule with wisdom and justice. He asks for the things we hope to see in our leaders; for the qualities that really only Jesus has perfectly. God gives Solomon the gift of wisdom and he becomes known around the world for his wisdom.
The Bible teaches that wisdom’s very important. There’s a whole book in the Bible called Proverbs that teaches wisdom, lots of it written by Solomon. In the Bible, God tells his people they have to choose between following him or idols, and when Jesus comes, to choose Jesus or reject him. In Proverbs 2, Solomon teaches us that there are two paths we can take: the path that leads to death and the path that leads to life. John the Baptist came to prepare the people for the coming of Jesus, who will bring many of the people of Israel back to God. Jesus teaches us in Matthew 7, “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” Wisdom is choosing to follow the path that Jesus has made for us to bring us back to God.
The Apostle Paul shows us that Jesus is our wisdom, now this is a bit more for those a little older than you are, but you will learn it as you grow older. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 1, “For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom…. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.”
There’s a lot of talk about intelligence today, about knowing lots of things, but little talk about wisdom. Wisdom’s often seen as an old-fashioned concept. That’s because biblical wisdom is about knowing how to live well with God, with others, with creation, and with ourselves. There’s humbleness in wisdom, a willingness to listen and to learn from God’s Word as we study it together. People looking for wisdom today are told to try new things, push yourself past your comfort zone, talk to people you normally wouldn't talk to, being open-minded and reserve judgment, finding a mentor, and asking for help when you need it.
Paul reminds us that true wisdom is found in Jesus. The ornaments in the tree remind us of God’s wisdom: a stable where God becomes human, nails and a cross where Jesus gives his life so we can have life with God. Jesus has become our wisdom from God, wisdom where we find our righteousness, holiness, and redemption in Jesus who came to lead us back to God, and fulfil God’s promises to overthrow Satan’s power and influence, washing away our sin to restore our relationship with God; this is God’s wisdom! Solomon’s dream calls us to choose wisdom, wisdom rooted in Jesus and trust in God’s plan, walking the path that leads to life, seeking the kingdom of God. Will you choose the way of wisdom?
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