Hidden Things

Jesus performed many miracles in the cities He walked, which should have authenticated His message, and yet most of those He encountered would not repent of their sins. Their hardheartedness kept them from recognizing the hand of God’s Son at work and connecting their need to listen to Him. He criticized them for their attitude and warned them of God’s impending judgment (Matthew 11:20-24).
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Imagine if Spencer’s Chevy Impala has a busted fuel pump and will not start, and he has to go on an important trip and has no way of renting a car or time to secure a replacement. His neighbor, Bill, follows Jesus and, recognizing Spencer’s need, offers to pray over the car. After Bill prays, Spencer turns the key, and the car’s engine fires up. All week, he successfully traveled and arrived home with no issues.  Once his trip ended, the vehicle again won’t work. Instead of recognizing God’s handiwork in answering prayer, Spencer chalks it up to luck and continues to see no need in his life to acknowledge God.
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Meditation
Matthew 11:25,26--At that time Jesus said, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned and revealed them to infants.  Yes, Father, because this was Your good pleasure.”
 
           
“The wise” cannot learn from God because they are full of themselves. Their pride (need to be right) gets in the way of learning, and their drive for self-determination befogs their vision. What should be apparent are hidden things. Matthew Henry noted, “some of the greatest scholars and the greatest statesmen have been the greatest strangers to gospel mysteries.”[1]

Little children (sometimes incessantly) ask why. They are full of curiosity and manifest teachability. Their minds are open to learning. However, in this passage, “infants” most likely refers to the disciples and those lacking formal education yet open to receiving Christ’s words. “Such the disciples of Christ were; men of mean birth and education; no scholars, no artists, no politicians, unlearned and ignorant men, Acts 4:13.”[2]
           
One cannot know hidden things without seeking to understand what God wants to be revealed. His good pleasure is in those who are teachable. Truth is only unlocked in open minds—something to think about . . . in reveration.
 
Inspiration
“Understanding means specifically knowing how to live as a response to God’s revelation.—J.I. Packer in Guard Us, Guide Us
 
©2024 Daniel York  ARR.  Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause.  To receive these devotionals, go to www.firstcause.org and click the “Click here to receive weekly devotionals” box.  Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed, subject to the inclusion of this copyright notice.     
 
Ecclesiastes 12:10-The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and to accurately write words of truth.  (Holman CSB)
 
 
 


[1] Henry, M. (1991). Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible: Complete and Unabridged in 6 Volumes. Hendrickson Pub; 6th Edition.
[2] Ibid