Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Shrewdness (03/07/05)
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TITLE: Jesus Was Shrewd. Are You? | Previous Challenge Entry
By Pastor Howard A. Alperin
03/10/05 -
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In Psalms 18:26 David writes, “To the pure show yourself pure, but to the crooked you show yourself shrewd”. David was the epitome of shrewdness. When David killed Goliath (1SAM 17), with just a sling and a stone, he was clever and far-sighted. When he took Bathsheba as his own (2SAM 12:24), and then had her husband killed, he was evil and wicked. He also showed shrewdness in all of his dealings with Saul.
Not to be overlooked as being shrewd was Saul. From the time Samuel anointed Saul (1SAM 9-10), he showed a keen wit and cleverness. However, as time marched on, Saul was rebuked by Samuel for acting foolish (1SA 13:13) for using his own wit instead of following the Lord’s commands. This was the start of his decline. Saul became evil as he pursued David, trying all along to take his life.
Judas, showed his shrewdness when he took the thirty pieces of silver (MT 26:15) from the Chief Priests, exchanging them for the Lord’s life. Judas exuded evilness when he kissed the face of the Lord, setting in motion the events leading to the crucifixion of Jesus.
What about Jesus? Yes, Jesus was very shrewd. Turning through the pages of the New Testament it is not hard to see Jesus’ shrewdness. From the time John the Baptist baptized Jesus (Mt 4:11), to the time Jesus defeated the cold, dark grave (JN 20), he constantly showed His shrewdness.
Jesus was extremely keen-witted. He knew when the time was right for a miracle, a parable, or an admonishment. Jesus knew when Mary approached Him at the wedding in Cana of Galilee, because the wine was gone, that His ministry had begun (JN 2). Jesus, also had the ability to pierce the very soul of those around Him. He saw deep into the soul of the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well, telling her all that had taken place in her life (JN 4). Jesus, with His piercing eyes looked into sad, scared eyes of the woman caught in adultery and saw her fear and hope. In the end Jesus tells her, “…Go now and leave your life of sin (JN 8:11b).
Jesus was also extremely far-sighted. In John 12:20-36 He predicts His own death. Jesus told His disciples, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified”. (12:23) He also predicted His betrayal and Peter’s denial of Him.
In the Bible, Jesus is by far the shrewdest. And we as believers we should be just as shrewd. We must be keen-witted and farsighted as we wait for the eastern sky to part and reveal our glorious Lord coming to take us home.
All Scripture references are taken from the Holy Bible, The New International Version (NIV). International Bible Society.
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
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Save your valuable words for showing, not telling, (something I still sometimes struggle with).
Many people were covered in your article; perhaps by picking just one you can create a story of "showing" how that one particular character was shrewd. This actions you create for him in the story will highlight his shrewdness. Otherwise, very nicely written. :) Thank you for the mini bible lesson!
Blessings, Joanne