The wisdom of Jesus is profound on a level that is beyond human understanding, which is why we must be dead to our human self and alive in our divine self to not only comprehend it, but to embody it. The idea of dying to our self is not desirable to believers, for they have too many fears of being taken advantage of that fill their minds when they think of it; they have too many loves they are attached to, so cannot do it; and they have too many idols they worship to desire it. Yet, the knowing in their inner being reminds them that Christ lives in them and this is what He did and they know this is what they are to do, but the price is too high for most to pay. Yet for those who are paying the price, the reward of learning the wisdom of Jesus is more valuable than the self they lost in the transacation.

The men and women who heard the words of Jesus on the mountain as He narrated the beatitudes to them had the same internal struggle we have. They knew they were being called to a lifestyle that would satisfy their soul, revive their body and transform their very self, but the Romans were breathing down their necks, their families already thought they were crazy to even listen to this man, let alone do what He said, and their livelyhood would be at stake, they were counting the cost as well and many could not afford to follow the words of Jesus by actually living what He said. We are in the same situation, self-preservation has trumped our call to do what Jesus did in Philippians 2, yet the invitation is still lingering on the inside of us as Christ in us is still the hope of glory.

As we gather for this holiday season, we have the chance to display Christ in dying to ourselves and manifesting the King of glory, but to do so we must hear His wisdom and embody His words. “You have heard that it was said, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have?” I exhort you as a fellow believer, let love be the principle thing as you navigate these next ten days for we are about to step into days of awe and wonder on earth like we have never seen before. The reward of our love for God and people is going to produce more love for God and more love for people. Merry Christmas my friends.