“Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority,                                                    it is time to reform (or pause and reflect).” ― Mark Twain ¹

The Lord had a select few at His side during His last years on this earth. They were the ones who were taught the wisdom that comes from God. They walked with Wisdom, ate with Wisdom, and sat at the feet of Wisdom. From Wisdom, they gained– and later preached –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. (I Corinthians 1:30)

Jesus was not on the side of the majority. He reached out to the minority– the leper who wanted to be healed, the Samaritan woman at the well, the blind man who wished to see, the sinners He ate with, the tax collector whose home He chose to visit.  He did not choose to be with the Pharisees who desired celebrity from others through their public prayers. His sentence and crucifixion did not come from those who entered the narrow gate, seeking Him and His wisdom– but from those who believed in and purported their own “wisdom” as they boldly walked through the wide gate that led to the broad road where many would see them, hear them, and acknowledge them. Jesus acknowledged them by condemning their hypocrisy: “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the door of the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to.” (Matthew 23:13)

True wisdom can only come from God. That wisdom is identified through the Word:

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.              (James 3:17)

These were not the traits of the Pharisees who chose their own version of self-wisdom instead of seeking the truth from God.

⁶ Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you;
love her, and she will watch over you.
⁷ The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom.
Though it cost all you have, get understanding. (Proverbs 4:6-7)

What gate do we enter every day in our choices? What road are we on as we follow our life path? Are we in the crowds of many? Is wisdom drowned out by the noise of confusion from the voices of the majority?

Leaving that road and entering the narrow path, we can commune with God and hear His voice: “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, Who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” (James 1:5)

 We need to ask; we need to seek; we need to pray. Wisdom is what the world needs, and we are the select few who must share Him through the example of our lives.

 ¹Twain, Mark. twainquotes.com

(Sharon G. Tate blog 06/03/18)  teacherforjesus.com  Meditations on God’s Word