If someone asked you who the smartest man in the world is, what would you say?
If Jesus wasn’t who came to mind, it’s time to think again.
Jesus, incarnate and risen, was and is the smartest man to ever live.
This makes sense because Jesus is God. He created all and knows all.
Colossians 1:16 states that he created all things “in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible” and that “all things were created through him and for him.” And in Colossians 2:2-3 we learn that in God “are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”
But have you ever stopped to think about the implications of that?
It seems most Christians recognize Jesus as One who loves, forgives, promotes liberation from sin, and so forth, but tend not to think of Him as especially intelligent or smart.
However, it is extremely important for us to see Jesus as relevant to our intellect. Here’s why:
1. We have to live our lives and learn to think from somewhere. If we don’t think Jesus is the smartest man to live, then it’s unlikely that we will take direction from Him for how we should live our lives. Instead, we may allow our culture to teach us how to live. This of course, more times than not is a bad idea. Jesus is the one from whom we can obtain a body of moral knowledge to guide our lives. He was the ultimate presentation of how we should live. And only in Him can we find the strength to live that way.
2. It affects discipleship among believers. If we fail to see Jesus as competent, we won’t look to Him for help, much less to other Christians for accountability for growing in Christ. But if we see him as the smartest man to ever live we will constantly seek Him out and understand the importance of being in community with the Body of Christ.
3. It affects whether we take the Great Commission seriously. We’re less likely to share the Gospel with people if we don’t view Jesus as competent in whatever environment we find ourselves in. The Good News won’t seem relevant to what we’re doing or the conversations we’re having. But if we see him as the smartest man in every field, we will find ourselves wanting to share Him with others in those fields.
Ask yourself today: Do I really respect Jesus in my field (computers, theology, business, philosophy, teaching, etc.)? Do I see him as not only holy, but competent?
Also see:
More About Jesus
Living for Jesus and Trusting HimDevotionals for Growth in Christ
