Wisdom of Influencers

Wisdom, Prophets, and Influencers STUDY: Week 7

It has been expected over and over again, that there is a wisdom embodied in one who walks among us. Maybe a fortune teller, but more. Maybe a prophet, but more. Maybe a king, but more. In the Bible, this is whom the law and the prophets have been speaking about. The wisdom of poetry and lament and proverb and history points to a man who comes to save his people. Wisdom prepares us for a messiah.

Some say that they have seen and heard a particular man who was the promised son of god, the long awaited messiah. He must have been popular. He must have had all the traits of a powerful influencer.

In the Bible, we learn specifically about a savior through the stories of Jesus’ life and work in the writings of the gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Stories of the messiah, permeate the history of the people and the expectation of their God. When the Jesus comes on to the scene, there are all kinds of claims about who he is and the Wisdom that he embodies.

READ Matthew 1

What are the major divisions in this genealogy?

READ Matthew 1:18-3

What is “fulfilled”?

READ Matthew 3:16-17

What does God say about his son?

READ Matthew 4:1-17

What is the “wisdom” that defeats the devil?

READ Matthew 4:18-25

What is the result of Jesus’ “wisdom”?

Can you imagine Jesus and the crowds he attracted with his teaching? Can you conceive of the event venues he would sellout or his social media following? How many followers, friends and likes would he accumulate - for the sake of his Kingdom?

Why do people want a “savior”?

People are certainly looking for a messiah. A wise teacher of the great wisdom of God to make people better, more holy, more acceptable to the heavenly father. Yet, the wisdom of Jesus turns out to be less and less popular.