True Wisdom: Listening to the Words Jesus Spoke

    By A.W. Tozer

    Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this,
    said; This is an hard saying, who can hear it?
    John 6:60

       In the world of men we find nothing approaching the
    virtues of which Jesus spoke in the opening words of the
    famous Sermon on the Mount.  Instead of poverty of
    spirit we find the rankest kind of pride; instead of
    meekness -- arrogance; instead of mourners, we find pleasure
    seekers; instead of hunger after righteousness, we hear men
    saying, "I am rich and increased with goods and have need of
    nothing"; instead of mercy, we find cruelty; instead of purity of
    heart, corrupt imaginings; instead of peacemakers, we find men
    quarrelsome and resentful; instead of rejoicing in mistreatment,
    we find them fighting back with every weapon at their command!

       Into a world like this the sound of Jesus' words comes
    wonderful and strange, a visitation from above.  It is well that He
    spoke, for no one else could have done it as well; and it is good
    that we listen, for His words are the essence of truth.

       Jesus does not offer an opinion, for He never uttered opinions.
    He never guessed; He knew, and He knows! His words are not
    as Solomon's were, the sum of sound wisdom or the results of
    keen observation.  He spoke out of the fullness of His Godhead,
    and His words are very Truth itself.  He is the only one who could
    say "blessed" with complete authority, for He is the Blessed One
    come from the world above to confer blessedness upon mankind!

       Best of all. His words were supported by deeds mightier than any performed on this earth by another man.

       It is wisdom for us to listen!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Yours in Christ,
    Paul N. F.