Scripture

“O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think they are wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike.”

Observation

Jesus compares the people to children playing a game in which they complain to their friends, “We played wedding songs and you would not dance. We played funeral songs and you would not mourn.”

Jesus denounces the towns where He did miracles but they refused to repent and turn to God. He then prays, thanking God the Father for hiding these things from those who think they are wise and revealing them to the childlike.

Application

Humility is the key to the kingdom of God.

We must realise that, when it comes to sin and judgement, we are totally dependent on God’s mercy. We have to recognise firstly that we are sinners who fall short of God’s standards for us. Secondly, we have to recognise that Jesus has done for us what we could not do for ourselves, that is, to pay the price for our sins.

As we approach the Easter season, we remember the awful facts of Good Friday. We crucified the one person who had never sinned. This awful fact contains the awesome truth that in one sacrifice the sins of the world were taken away.

The “wise” and the arrogant people can never see this because they think they are good enough. Their learning, money or personal achievements will get them through with God.

It doesn’t work that way. Just as Jesus emptied Himself of all divine power in order to meet with us, so we have to empty ourselves of every form of self-righteousness in order to meet with Him.

As the old hymn says, “Nothing in my hand I bring, simply to thy cross I cling.”

Prayer

Thank you Jesus for dying in my place. Amen.