Can Jesus do Math?
One morning, my 6-year-old daughter and I read from Luke 17:11–19, during our Bible study. In that Bible passage, Jesus encountered ten lepers who begged to be healed. Moved by compassion, Jesus instructed the lepers to go and show themselves to the priests. On the way, the lepers realized that they had been healed. However, only one of them saw the need to go back and thank Jesus for the miraculous healing. Jesus asked him, "Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? "
"Oh! Jesus can do math." My daughter said delightedly. "Ten minus one is nine."
"Yes, Jesus can do math. That is why we can pray for help in math because he knows how to solve all math problems. " I replied.
That conversation opened my eyes to the reality that there is so much about the Bible that we take for granted. No way could I have read that Scripture at this stage in my life, and received the revelation that Jesus can do math. However, to a little girl who is trying to get a grasp of math, it was the first revelation to jump out of that Scripture.
Our financial status, education, family background, country of origin, health and family situation, field of study, and others can shape the way we interpret Scripture. One of education's goals is to bring to our attention, knowledge that we would not ordinarily have access to through our daily interactions and lived experiences. Knowledge opens the mind to possibilities, to other realities and experiences. Knowledge increases curiosity, which leads to creativity and innovation. The Bible is very much in support of gaining knowledge, and here we reiterate that intellectual pursuit is an endeavor that should be taken seriously by Christians.
Many verses in the Bible extol the virtues of knowledge, wisdom, and understanding. In Proverbs 4:7, the Bible reminds us that "Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom; and with all your getting, get understanding." Wisdom is the most important thing in life. It is at the center of our existence. We need wisdom to thrive in this realm of eternity. In all our striving in life, we should strive for understanding. Christians who wish to live the life that God has destined them to live will do well to open up their hearts to knowledge.
Concerning Solomon, the Bible records that he was the wisest man that ever lived on earth. He did what many scholars today would do; he wrote volumes of books and poems, some of which are preserved today. When a queen from the distant land of Sheba visited Solomon, she was exceedingly overwhelmed when she "saw all the wisdom of Solomon and the palace he had built, the food on his table, the seating of his officials, the attending servants in their robes, his cupbearers, and the burnt offerings he made at the temple of the Lord."
The Queen of Sheba gave Solomon a gift of 4,200 kilograms (9,260 pounds) of gold, "large quantities of spices, and precious stones. Never again were so many spices brought in as those the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon." Solomon received that much wealth for his wisdom. Wisdom is the principal thing that can attract wealth and anything else. In Proverbs 16:16, the Bible says, "How much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver. "
Another wise person whose wisdom stands out in the Bible is Daniel. Daniel was a young Jewish boy who was taken as war booty by the Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar. Daniel’s wisdom was legendary. He became a huge asset to Babylon and ended up serving five kings: Nebuchadnezzar, Evil-merodach, Belshazzar, Darius, and Cyrus. At some point, Daniel rose to become the prime-minister of Babylon. Knowledge brings longevity in any area of life. In Proverbs 8:15, the Bible says that an "intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge."
Jesus’ teaching ministry was central in his work on earth. He went around cities, communities, synagogues, and the Jerusalem temple, teaching deep truths about God and life on earth. The apostle Paul explained that Jesus "has become to us wisdom from God" (1 Corinthians 1:30). At the young age of 12, Jesus Christ, the epitome of wisdom, was able to reason with Bible scholars. A perfect example of the unparalleled wisdom found in Jesus' teachings is seen in the Sermon on the Mount. The lessons it teaches remain relevant throughout the ages. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus talks about a wide range of things, like how to improve personal relationships, maintain high morals and find happiness in life.
Using illustrations, short stories, parables, and questions, Jesus’ teaching styles drew a huge audience to him. This exceptional pedagogy captivated his audience and bound what they learned to their hearts. There was once a "huge audience" that didn't leave his side for three days, not even for meals! (Mark 8:1, 2).
Getting educated is the responsibility of every Christian. This goes beyond obtaining degrees and certificates to really focus on self-education, which has been made easier today with the internet. Yet, we are aware that the world system in which both the formal, non-formal and informal education system is situated is corrupt. That is why the Bible declares that believers will be wiser than their instructors. Whatever is learned from the world system of education must be carefully distilled through the word of God. Christians should read far and wide, deep and high in order to gain whatever knowledge is available to the sons of men. Yet, the Bible should be the benchmark for what Christians accept as truth in their various fields of endeavor.