Luke 20 | Wonderful Counselor
Does the “Battle of Wits” mean anything to you?
Depending on the year of your birth, that phrase may or may not conjure up memories of a certain cult-classic movie from back in the day. It does for me!
Of course, I’m talking about The Princess Bride and the iconic scene when the man in black challenges Vizzini to a battle of wits. As the self-proclaimed wisest person in the world, Vizzini believes his logic to be air-tight and the contest a sure win. But he is no match for his opponent, who outwitted Vizzini before the match ever began.
I couldn’t help but think of the Battle of Wits as I read Luke 20!
The so-called wise people of the day did their darnedest to outwit Jesus. Little did they know, the battle was lost before it ever began. For how do you outwit the Son of the Most High God, full of infinite wisdom and knowledge (Colossians 2:3)?
You don’t, of course! For long ago, Isaiah prophesied: “the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord” (Isaiah 11:2).
There is no outwitting the One in whom the Spirit of the Lord rests.
In fact, the Pharisees and scribes themselves fulfilled another prophecy by asking such questions, for Isaiah also said, “and the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the discernment of their discerning men shall be hidden” (Isaiah 29:14).
All of this was planned, prepared, and purposed by our great God of wisdom and might.
“Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! ‘For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?’” (Romans 11:33-34).
Truly, for who else would have thought of such a thing as to send His only Son into the world, to be questioned by the very people He created and then crucified by them?
None but the most merciful and gracious Father, by the power of His Spirit, for the glory of His Son, foretold by the prophets, announced by the angels, and celebrated by all who trust Him.
This Christmas, let’s rejoice with Isaiah—our Wonderful Counselor has come!
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.” Isaiah 9:6–7