Have you ever noticed how Jesus can be talking about something and then, he makes a statement that appears to come completely out of the blue? Often, this type of statement is a concluding comment after he’s been teaching about something – but, the concluding comment seems to have no relevance to the point he was just making. Obviously, Jesus understood how to the two seemingly divergent points were connected – even if they appear confusing to us at first glance. I’ve made a practice of studying these comments because, I really want to learn how to make the connection between points that Jesus made.
At the end of his explanation to the people about John the Baptist, Jesus made one of those concluding comments that for a long time seemed out of place to me. After speaking about John the Baptist and affirming that the people acknowledged God’s way was right, Jesus finished his teaching with the seemingly unrelated comment, “Wisdom is proven right by all her children” (Lk 7.35).
But, as I look at this chapter in the context of our current discussion, it has become much clearer.
The Greek word used in phrase for ‘proven right’ can also be translated as ‘exhibited as right’, ‘declared as just’. The intention of the words is that the children of God are able to do more than simply identify or recognise the wisdom of God. They are able to declare its justice, to prove or exhibit it’s right-ness. This is similar to the wording used in Rom 12.2, when Paul says the believer who is being transformed by the renewing of their mind, is able to ‘prove’ the perfect will God. The children of God are able not only to recognise the character of God through his words and his actions; but they are also able to prove, approve, discern his will through the wisdom they have gained through relationship with him.
Wisdom about God, comes through our experiences with God. Encountering him. Engaging with him. Learning his ways so we can know him. This level of understanding cannot be arrived at through theory or principles. On the contrary, this understanding is an outcome of a relationship with the One who is believed. Only in an active, ongoing, relationship are we able to deepen our understanding of God – his character, his nature and his heart. And this learning for understanding is based on belief in him.
Jesus’ seemingly out-of-place statement is actually connecting the effects of John’s ministry with what the angel Gabriel said about John when he announced his upcoming birth. He said that John will “turn the hearts of the fathers to the children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, to make ready a people for the Lord” (Lk 1.17).
The statement about turning of the fathers’ hearts to the children points to an effect of earthly, parental relationships, but I also think it refers to the spiritual fathers & mothers who will nurture their spiritual children. Subsequently, the children of God will display an inherent wisdom that is demonstrated in their righteous priorities, lifestyle, decision-making and pursuit of the Kingdom (cf Eph 3.10). The result is that those separated from God (the disobedient) will hear and see the wisdom and love of God through those who live in relationship with Him. Through their humble recognition of God’s wisdom, those apart from God will recognise the voice of God (Believe), respond to the invitation to join His family and become (Learn) a people being made ready for the Lord (Understand).
Do you see how this comes full circle? The children of God naturally display the wisdom and righteousness of God, giving those who do not yet know God an opportunity to encounter Him. In their humility and hunger for what is right and just, people are able to recognise and respond to the wisdom and love of God. But this depends on those who are in relationship with Him to be a witness of who God is through what they say and what they do.