Day 15: Jesus Thanks The Father
for Revealing Life to the Childlike
25At that time Jesus prayed this prayer: “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike. 26Yes, Father, it pleased you to do it this way! 27“My Father has entrusted everything to me. No one truly knows the Son except the Father, and no one truly knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”
28Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” Matthew 11:25-30
Jesus made a distinction between two kinds of people in today’s Scripture: Those who think themselves wise and clever and the childlike. For Jesus, being childlike was the prerequisite for having God entrust His truth to us. As I noted in today’s message, Jesus wasn’t advocating “childishness,” but rather “childlikeness.” The difference between the two is immense. This week we’re going to take the time to discover some of the aspects of the childlike, how we may become more childlike and why we would want to do so! We will also come to see that in developing an attitude of gratitude being childlike is essential. Life in our complex, modern world may seem to make childlikeness obsolete, but the reality is only when we maintain childlikeness can we trust God enough to obey Him, and that trusting enough to obey is the essence of loving God! Jesus tells us that when we are childlike God reveals His truth to us, and it is only through that truth that we gain eternal life with God. As Jesus told us, He is the way, the truth, and the life and no one comes to the Father except through Him. Thus, if we want to know the truth that leads to eternal life, we must come to God with a childlike attitude, ready to hear His voice and then to carry out His will. As we give up our perceived wisdom and cleverness, life becomes more and more lived out of God’s truth, and that is His plan for our lives!
Questions and Comments for Reflection and Action:
What is the difference between being childlike and being childish?
What is necessary to become childlike according to Jesus?
Take some time right now to thank God for revealing His truth to us, and to ask Him to make you more childlike.