“At that time Jesus answered and said, ‘I thank You, O Father, Lord of Heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them unto babes’.”
Matthew 11:25
When it comes to the things of God, even the most obvious is obscure to those who refuse to come in simple, childlike faith.
“And You have revealed them unto babes.”
No doubt Jesus’ words in today’s Manna met with further perplexity and scorn from His listeners, for such is always the reaction when one doesn’t understand what you’re saying or has determined he’ll not believe anything you say. Such is the nature of the hardened heart.
Jesus knew many of his listeners had predetermined, theological beliefs that took precedent over anything He had to say. Like the orthodox Jews of our day, they clung to the belief that Elijah would bodily return from Heaven as the forerunner of the coming Messiah according to Malachi’s prophecy (4:5-6). And, even though Jesus told them that John the Baptist was that predicted prophet (Mt. 11:14), they refused to believe, preferring instead the “doctrines and traditions of men” (Mk. 7:6-8, 13).
Thus, we should not be surprised when others do not understand or accept what we’re saying—partly because of their “blinded minds” (II Cor. 4:4) and partly because of their hardened hearts, even if they’re a follower of Christ (Mk. 6:51-52).
No wonder Jesus said “Except you be converted and become as little children, you shall not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. Whosoever, therefore, shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven” (Mt. 18:3-4).
Why is this?
Simply because a small child is trusting, taking things at face value. He is also dependent upon his parents for knowledge, training, provisions, security, etc. And, he’s inquisitive, still possessing that beautiful innocence that looks at the world with a sense of wonder and awe.
How sad it is when education and sophistication rob us of these “babe blessings.” How quickly our view of the world becomes jaded as we sit at “the tree of the knowledge of good and evil,” partaking of its rotten fruit of pride.
Much better is the childlike attitude that says “It doesn’t matter whether or not I understand the process of creation. . .how God put all those animals in Noah’s ark. . .how the children of Israel walked through the Red Sea on dry ground. . .how water came out of a rock in the wilderness when Moses struck it. . .how Jesus could be born of a virgin, walk on water, do all those miracles, be raised from the dead, etc. I simply believe God said and did it just as the Bible says and that’s enough for me.” Hallelujah!!
So, how’s your “baby-faith” today, Pilgrim? May the Holy Spirit continue cultivating that in your life as you sing “Simply trusting every day” and “Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, Just to take Him at His Word. Just to rest upon His Promise, Just to know ‘Thus saith the Lord’.”
By Tom Smith Morning Manna Dated April 28, 2010
