Rev. George Miller
Nov 1, 2026
1 Kings 3:4-9
Next week is our Annual Meeting, a time to
gather in God’s sacred sanctuary to learn, discern, discuss, even disagree. May it be a time in which we welcome Heaven’s
Wisdom and hearing heart.
In addition to salvation, inclusivity and
peace, wisdom is a word we can use to describe the Jesus experience.
Christ’s first followers saw him as wisdom
embodied. When Jesus speaks in the synagogue
or engages in lively banter, it is a form of holy engagement for the scribes
and religious leaders.
They believed God is experienced through
conversations, coming together to study and talk about scripture, even if no answer,
or agreement emerges.
Wisdom is a way in which God is made known,
long been seen as essential and important in the Jewish community.
The Book of Proverbs says the Lord’s
wisdom founded the earth (3:19);
the
first of God’s acts, present at Creation (8:22). Wisdom
speaks as a woman calling out in the streets, providing welcome to all (1:20), her words treasured
(2:2), stored up like wealth
(2:7), feeding people
with bread and wine (9:5),
making
them happy, giving them favored life (8:35).
It’s no surprise that Solomon asks for an
understanding mind to care for those he is to serve.
He doesn’t ask for diamonds and gold or the
newest chariot, but for wisdom, to discern bad and good, how to navigate tough
times.
For the seeds of Miriam and Sarah, there
has always been an emphasis on wisdom and it’s essentialness. To think and understand with your brain and a
“hearing heart.”
What this can mean for us is that when reading
Mark, Mathew, Luke, and John, it is good to know that wisdom (made known
through words, study, reflection, disagreements, and questions) was seen as a holy
way to faithfully live and breathe.
To engage in theological discourse was a
huge expression of lived faith and a way to experience God.
Wisdom was so valued as part of God’s essence,
that it was a way people saw Jesus as more than an ordinary man. When Jesus walked past folk, they’d say- “He
speaks the wisdom of God.” Over time
“Behold the Wisdom of God!”
Jesus, rooted in the Old Testament
understanding of Mama Wisdom,
embodied Wisdom for all to see- standing
before them in the synagogue, preaching Isaiah.
Meeting the woman at the well and engaging
in a rich dialogue that touched upon gifts of God, eternal life, and Living
Water.
On that Emmaus Road where Christ
Resurrected went step by step with two townsfolk, talking about this and that, recounting
stories of Moses, the words of the prophets, illuminating scripture.
Wisdom- an understanding heart and clear
mind present at Creation, that feeds people with bread and wine. Wisdom that strolled past the people in the
body of Jesus.
Oh, how he embodied wisdom and ways to
make wisdom known! How Jesus taught-
through stories and parables, telling tales with everyday folk. A woman who lost a coin; a son who discovers
living on your own ain’t so easy; a hungry man outside of the gates.
Jesus, so wise that with just a few words
he shaped our understanding of God’s kingdom with tales we still tell today.
Another aspect of Jesus’ wisdom was how he
navigated outside the walls of the synagogue, going where the people were, sharing
God’s wisdom with those working on boats, gleaning in the fields, enjoying wine
at a wedding, even one who thought he had to climb a tree to be seen.
The wisdom Jesus embodied was amazing, beautiful,
inclusive; to think and ponder, even if uncomfortable.
Along with Covenant, wisdom is a part
of the UCC’s history. German
Evangelicals who established Eden Seminary. New England Congregationalists who made
Harvard happen. The Reformed branch who believed
it important for preachers to be educated.
Today we honor the saints who have gone on
before, giving thanks for all they have done.
Next week we hold our Annual Meeting.
May it be a time in which we welcome in
the Spirt of Wisdom that was there at Creation and the Wisdom that flowed
through the hands and feet of Jesus.
Step by step, wildly improbable goal by
wildly improbable goal, grace by grace, we are in a Covenant with God in which
we get to engage in acts of wisdom, with thinking hearts and compassionate
minds.
We are servants of the Lord most high, following
the ways of Christ, filled with the Holy Spirit, continuing the legacy of our
ancestors who came before and the generations who will come after.
Amen and amen.
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