As I write this in October, 2016, we have a new grandson, born June 11. He’s our first grandchild to be born in Montana. He is John MacGregor Pierce. “John” is “Grace” – which we sinners need. “MacGregor” means: “Son” (“Mac”) of the “Vigilant One” (“Gregor”). And the most Vigilant is God. Jesus teaches us that God the Father numbers the hairs on our heads (Mt. 10:30). We sinners desperately need him to watch over us.
A little backstory about “MacGregor.” My wife’s Uncle John and Aunt Jane MacGregor fathered and mothered six children. Uncle John was a pastor – and he loved a good joke. However, in a convincing brogue, he told me how, early on, his beloved but strict Scottish mother warned him: “John MacGregor, the pulpit is no place for humor.”
Jesus would have objected. In Jesus, we find wit personified.
The Word “Wit”
Wit is defined as mental sharpness, inventiveness, keen intelligence, and an aptitude for using words in quick, inventive ways to create humor. “Wit’s” most primitive meaning was simply to “be conscious” – to “know.” But as “wit” matured, such generalized existence grew into astute shrewdness. Since 1540, this diminutively agile word has meant mental quickness or intuitiveness.
As a result, a wit is jocular without being facetious. Not a joker, not a clown; a wit demonstrates keen and clever humor.
But, is God a wit?
Wits Corollary – Wisdom
On our way to a partial answer to that question, let’s stop at “wisdom.” James wrote: “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him” (1:5). God gives – literally, “donates” (present active participle – God keeps on donating) wisdom “generously” – “unfoldedly”– “holding nothing back.”
Pastor Chuck Swindoll gives us this definition: “Wisdom is the God-given ability to see life with rare objectivity and to handle life with rare stability. Either we can lose our jobs or we can be promoted in our work, and neither will derail us. Why? Because we see it with God-given objectivity” (“Living on the Ragged Edge”).
Jesus teaches us to build upon the Rock of God’s wisdom. No doubt, in the ups and downs of life, as we treasure “wisdom,” we find a dynamic equilibrium.
Dynamic equilibrium is different from the “balanced view of life” many promote. When God is so generous with wisdom, what do we get?
The Disequilibrium of a Witty Providence
Many years ago, some of our family visited the top of the Ulm Buffalo Jump. Three sons asked if they could run the trail from the top down to the Visitor’s Center. We’d seen rattlesnakes. I told them to watch out.
Later, as I was talking with an airman from Malstrom Air Force Base, suddenly, he warned: “There is a rattler behind you!”
At that very moment, the phone in my pants pocket vibrated. I thought: “How did that snake get into my pocket so fast?!” I jumped, like a white man – not very high – and got away without being bit.
Actually, our son in Georgia was calling at that very moment.
After I told him what had happened, we laughed.
What struck me was God’s perfect comedic timing.
You have stories of such uncanny timing too. God enjoys a good joke. Providence can show us the wily wit of God.
An Example of Disequilibrium Caused by Jesus’ Wit
Jesus is famous for his one-liners – his penetrating questions – for causing disequilibrium by his wit.
For example, Matthew 22:15 “Then the Pharisees went and plotted how to entangle him in his words. 16 And they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, ‘Teacher, we know that you are true and teach the way of God truthfully, and you do not care about anyone’s opinion, for you are not swayed by appearances.17 Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?’ 18 But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, ‘Why put me to the test, you hypocrites? 19 Show me the coin for the tax.’ And they brought him a denarius” (a coin paid for a day’s work).
Let’s interrupt the passage by reading Lois Tverberg’s historically informative account of this incident. “As the priest’s hand fumbled through the folds of his robe to withdraw a coin, guffaws arose from the crowd. As the shiny disk glinted in the sun, the realization dawned on him that he had just revealed his own hypocrisy. Denarii were strictly forbidden in the Temple, because they bore Caesar’s blasphemous claim to be divine. But the cleric had no qualms about carrying these pagan money pieces in his pocket in the temple. The man’s face reddened as he saw how easily the Galilean rabbi exposed his insincerity” (Walking in the Dust of Rabbi Jesus).
Pressing on with the text: 20: “Jesus said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?”
As you read Jesus’ question, you know the trappers were trapped. Clearly, Jesus has outwitted them. Here the disilquilibrilizing wit of Jesus shines – again. Instead of a metal detector at the airport, here we have Jesus – The Hypocrisy Detector – in the Temple. Can you imagine him smiling at the humor of what had just happened?
Scripture records their stammered answer: 21 “They said, “Caesar’s.”
“Then he said to them, ‘Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.'”
22 “When they heard it, they ‘marveled’ (other possible translations are: they were ‘awestruck,’ ‘dumbfounded,’ ‘astonished,’ ‘knocked off their feet’). And they left him and went away.”
Jesus’ wit baffled them. Thirty-one times (!), the writers of the four Gospels use this word to describe how people respond to Jesus. Did you have any idea?
Christian, and those yet to follow Christ, have you been stunned by Jesus? If not, what false distances – what superficial prejudices – have you allowed between you and him? Ask him to show himself to you. Get to know Jesus as he reveals himself. Then, when the impact of who he really is knocks you off your feet, will you, too, leave and go away? Instead, again and again, dare to draw near to be dazed by his wit – and more.
