St. Teresa of Avila
We are called to recognize Jesus by his wisdom. We are called to listen to him and recognize one who is greater than Solomon. Even though Jonah's preaching was very effective we are called to recognize in Jesus an even greater message. It isn't a wisdom of this world or else he would not have been crucified.
None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory (see First Corinthians 2:8).
So we see at once an immense wisdom and yet a readiness to be misunderstood if we bring our worldly paradigms to bear on it. We tend to look for a sign when the preaching is too intense and we don't want to hear it even though we might recognize the wisdom it contains. We tend to look to earthly wisdom when demonstrations of the Spirit and power (see First Corinthians 2:4) make things more real and less abstract than we're willing to face.
If we want to experience the freedom of Christ we must let him bring his wisdom to bear on our lives, our minds, and our hearts. Only his wisdom can purify us to serve God with heart, mind, and strength. It seems that maybe this would be onerous. And it does indeed lead to the cross. But only by this route do we find freedom.
For freedom Christ set us free; so stand firm
and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery.
So let's become more aware of when Jesus is offering himself to us and we're choosing to look the other way. Let us seek his wisdom, the wisdom of the cross, so that we can experience everything he has for us.
From the rising to the setting of the sun
is the name of the LORD to be praised.
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