Seeds for 08/17/2023 - Matthew 11:25-26
Scripture: 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 little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.”
Observation: At first blush, this prayer seems odd and limiting. On a second pass, this is a good example of what biblical theologians refer to as the upside-down and inside-out nature of the Kingdom of God. (Or in Matthew’s Gospel, the “kingdom of heaven”—the terminology is different but the meaning is the same.)
In this paragraph, Jesus expresses thanks to His Father because He has hidden “these things,” perhaps referring to the meaning of the miracles mentioned in the immediately preceding verses, from the “wise and learned” and revealed them instead to “little children.” In doing so, He flips our earthly expectations concerning who understands what God is up to on their head.
Instead of limiting what God is doing with His self-revelation in Jesus, this prayer is actually about God not being limited by the values and virtues of the world. “The wise and learned” versus “little children” is another way of contrasting the important versus the unimportant, the revered and valued versus the common and expendable.
In God’s eyes, those no one thinks much of are recipients of great honor.
Paul was barking up the same tree when he wrote, “Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe… For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.” (1 Corinthians 20-25)
When we see this truth, we are ready to respond as both Peter and James instructed: “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.” (James 4:10, 1 Peter 5:6)
Application:
When have you noticed a child grasp a simple truth in a way that an adult missed or confused?
What else might the Holy Spirit be speaking with you about in the text today?
Prayer: Lord, humble me before you, that I may see and receive your wisdom and truth. Amen.
“But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” (Matthew 13:23)
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I may look at this scripture and analysis in a slightly different way. Aren’t we God’s children and through faith, as a child respects their earthly parent, trust and obey?
1 When we walk with the Lord
In the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way;
While we do His good will,
He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.
Trust and obey,
For there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus,
But to trust and obey.
2 Not a shadow can rise,
Not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt or a fear,
Not a sigh or a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.
3 Not a burden we bear,
Not a sorrow we share,
But our toil He doth richly repay;
Not a grief or a loss,
Not a frown or a cross,
But is blest if we trust and obey.
4 But we never can prove
The delights of His love,
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favor He shows,
And the joy He bestows,
Are for them who will trust and obey.
5 Then in fellowship sweet
We will sit at His feet,
Or we’ll walk by His side in the way;
What He says we will do;
Where He sends, we will go,
Never fear, only trust and obey.