ClickCease

He Has a Way with Words

by Alex Gonzalez, High School Principal
 
As educators, we often feel we need to know the “right” answer to every question a student asks. Otherwise, we can be seen as incompetent. However, there is wisdom in being self-aware that not all answers have to come from our own knowledge and abilities.    
 
 
When Jesus was challenged or put in what seemed like a “gotcha” moment, He turned the discussion from the initial question to the more deep-seated issues behind it. The Pharisees confronted Jesus, demanding a yes or no answer on whether it was lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, the Roman emperor. Jesus responded by asking whose face was engraved on the coins used to pay the taxes. When they replied that it was Caesar’s face, Jesus replied “Then give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s; and to God what is God’s. (Matthew 22:21). Jesus certainly had a way with words, but He also turned things around by relying on the most powerful source of wisdom, our Heavenly Father.   
 
Jesus was tempted three times when He was fasting in the desert (stones to bread, Matthew 4:4; jump and be saved, Matthew 4:7; and kingdom in exchange for worship, Matthew 4:10). Jesus was able to ultimately use His words to not only defy the temptations in the desert but to point back to the absolute truth of God’s word.  
 
Jesus was questioned by the Pharisees, Herodians, and Sadducees (Pharisees with an ethical question, the most important rule; Herodians with a political question, taxes; and Sadducees with a doctrinal question, life after death). Each time, the people thought they had Jesus trapped. Yet He found the words that ultimately pointed back at God’s sovereignty as well as pointed out the people’s shortcomings to their perceived superior wisdom. 
 
The “WWJD” movement was originally started in 1896 by Charles Sheldon, in “In His Steps: What Would Jesus Do.” The bracelets eventually became a global trend in the 1990s. These bracelets serve as a reminder, yet, how many times do we actually stop and ask ourselves that question, what would Jesus do? When we look to ourselves for answers, we often fall in disgrace (Proverbs 11:2). The answer to “WWJD” is and always will be in His word.
 
“For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth comes knowledge and understanding.” – Proverbs 2:6   
 
Jesus is the ultimate source of wisdom and truth, point blank. May we be reminded to seek His word for guidance as we handle our daily challenges.  
 
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Westminster Christian School, located in Palmetto Bay, Florida, is a private, college-preparatory school for children from preschool through twelfth grade.