Matthew 11:16-30 (NRSV)
Read Matthew 11:16-30 on biblegateway.com
Verse 16"But to what will I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to one another, Verse 17'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not mourn.' Verse 18For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon'; Verse 19the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds." Verse 20Then he began to reproach the cities in which most of his deeds of power had been done, because they did not repent. Verse 21"Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the deeds of power done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. Verse 22But I tell you, on the day of judgment it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon than for you. Verse 23And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? No, you will be brought down to Hades. For if the deeds of power done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. Verse 24But I tell you that on the day of judgment it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom than for you."
Verse 25At that time Jesus said, "I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; Verse 26yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. Verse 27All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Verse 28"Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Verse 29Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Verse 30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
Devotion
Playing Hide-and-Seek always makes me nervous. I fear not finding anyone, of being left out and looking foolish. Because of this, Jesus’ words thanking God the Father for hiding things don’t sit well with me. Why would God hide good news from the people? It just doesn’t seem fair!
But then I realize that God has hidden them so that everyone can see them clearly, unclouded by human pride. God’s hope isn’t available only to the powerful, wise or intelligent. It is available to all, even infants.
Unfortunately, these words have often been an excuse for neglect and ignorance of God’s Word. Jesus isn’t saying we shouldn’t be wise or intelligent, especially in study of Scripture, but that God’s Word is accessible, open, and not beyond us when we approach it with faith in God’s grace; it is a trust that infants, so dependent for all things, understand well.
Prayer
Thank you, God, that you have revealed yourself not only to the wise but to infants. Give us the gift of faith, to see your grace, unclouded by human pride, so we can learn from you and serve you and our neighbors as your disciples. Amen.