Epilogue - The Final Reading
The Sayings of Jesus 
After reading these sayings of Jesus, it seems clear that they are more than good advice. They are challenges. They constitute an announcement that things are going to change. A proclamation that even now things aren’t what they seem. The ancient wisdom tradition we have been reading calls them good news. But is it really possible that Jesus’ promised reversal will happen? That sorrow will turn to joy, that the last will be first, that the meek will be landowners? Is there any chance that this wisdom will indeed be proved right by her children? The only way to know is to listen carefully to Jesus’ strange words, find out if we have ears to hear, and then to follow the path. Wisdom’s children can only be known if we are willing to embrace wisdom. The key issue when studying ancient wisdom comes down to this: Will I take from wisdom, picking and choosing as I go? Or will wisdom take me? The issue is the same with Jesus. He ultimately invited his hearers to follow more than a spiritual path, however wise and good. He always ended up inviting them to himself. This is why his earliest followers believed Jesus was more than a good Rabbi. They believed he was Wisdom personified. And this is why they called him the Way. “Come
to me, all you who are weary and burdened, Take
my yoke upon you and learn from me, For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” This concludes the reading of Book 4, The Sayings of Jesus. You may read the entire original source for these readings in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
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Epilogue
