A lot of people in the sports world debate about, “Who’s the GOAT? Was it Jordan or LeBron?” (Easily Jordan, okay!!!) People go back and forth. They dig up stats, highlights, rings, moments, etc.
Today, I’m doing something similar but with characters from the Bible, and really, it’s just me trying to make connections and practice my craft while showing my appreciation for the Good Book.
So, let me start with a “Who’s the GOAT?”-type of comparison.
Solomon vs. Jesus.
SPOILER: of course it’s Jesus, but…
Solomon was the guy back in the day. Super wise. Super rich. Charming and charismatic. The dude did well. One of my favorite people from the Bible.
People traveled from other countries just to hear him speak (including the Queen of Sheba. read 1 Kings 10:6-9). He even built God’s temple. And he’s the author of much of the Bible’s wisdom writings.
Total legend!
Yet in the end, bro messed up. Big time. He began to love money, power, and WOMEN more than God.
Solomon’s issue?
Well, it wasn’t a sudden fall, but a slow drift. Until his heart fell away from God. It sure is ironic that the dude who built the temple no longer worshipped the God it was made for.
Fast forward about 1,000 years…
Jesus comes along. He’s talking to the people. One day, he said something that caught my attention.
He said:
“The Queen of the South will rise… for she came to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, and now something greater than Solomon is here.” — Matthew 12:42
I was asking myself, “Is this Jesus dissing Solomon?”
Because that’s like saying, “Forget LeBron and MJ, I’m actually the greatest!” with the audacity of someone like Muhammad Ali.
Except Jesus wasn’t bragging. He was making a point.
The point is this:
– Solomon gave good advice, but Jesus IS the wisdom.
– Solomon built a building, but Jesus IS the place where we meet God.
It’s a “Doing” versus “Being” thing. No comparison.
Jesus’s point is — if people would travel to hear Solomon, how much more should we pay attention to what Jesus says?
Jordan was the GOAT in bball. But Jesus? He’s the King.
Jesus takes the win here. Solomon is sent to chase the wind.