Come To Me! - page 1

esus has just finished a very difficult moment in His ministry. Difficult moments are not unusual for anyone who ministers for the Lord. Whether one is a pastor, a church leader, a worker among children or one who serves in some other capacity within or without the church, you will suffer if the Lord is working through you by His Holy Spirit. Jesus knew this truth better than anyone. Not only did John the Baptist, the forerunner of the coming Messiah, have doubts that Jesus was the Messiah; but after John’s two disciples had asked their public questions, His own disciples and the crowd now had reason to question also. Was that a heartbreak? It could have been. Jesus had emotions. He was human too! In response, Jesus took time to explain why John and He were rejected. He defended John but not Himself. He pronounced judgment upon Chorazin and Capernaum for rejecting Him after seeing the miracles and wonders. Matt. 11:20-21 is a very serious reminder that Jesus’ miracles were proof that He was the Messiah and deity. Romans 1:4 tells us that His return to life was also proof that He was God. This study (Matt. 11:25-30) follows these sad moments in His ministry. It is a snapshot in Jesus’ life that is recorded only in Matthew.

At that time Jesus said, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants.” (NASB) Matt. 11:25

So how did Jesus respond? Was He heart-broken? No! He responded with praise to God the Father, the Lord of Heaven. I just love this passage. Jesus reminds us that God the Father is not seeking control of heaven. He is not the custodian of heaven. He is not the steward, governor, president or prime minister of heaven and earth. He is in control! He is the controller of the universe! Jesus’ words are wonderful. The Father is the Lord of heaven and the Lord of earth!

God the Father, as Lord of heaven and earth, has chosen to hide certain truths from us. He has not revealed everything, especially to those who consider themselves wise and intelligent. The Jewish leaders were included in Jesus’ description. They were the educated elite in those days who because of their pride rejected Jesus.

However, Jesus’ statement was not limited to the Jewish leaders. Many wise and intelligent people from all walks of life have rejected Jesus. They have not seen and do not see a need for God. This truth becomes obvious when unbelieving writers and educators attempt to discredit the Christian faith by speaking authoritatively about the Bible, even though they have never seriously studied it. It is important to notice that it was not their human wisdom or intelligence that was the problem. Their problem was pride and arrogance and their low view of God and His written word - the Bible.

Historical records tell us that thousands upon thousands of wise and intelligent men and women have accepted Jesus Christ. These are the ones Jesus refers to as the “infants.” The term “infants” includes those who are seeking to know God and have found Him. Jesus contrasted “wise and intelligent” to “infants” to make a point. The terms are used in a figurative sense. While the “wise and intelligent” are proud and arrogant, infants are eager to learn and discover. God does not hide spiritual truth from those who belong to Him. God the Father does not hide “these things” from those who are true seekers of spiritual wisdom and knowledge. It is to these that God reveals spiritual truth - not to those who consider themselves wise and knowledgeable and have already rejected Him. Unlike the world, this short verse reveals that God neither honors nor respects those who are spiritually proud and arrogant. He honors those who, like infants, desire to know Him.

The worst condition a person can have is spiritual blindness that results in the rejection of God. At some point in the life of every person who continues rejecting Jesus Christ, God will eventually confirm them in their unbelief. 2 Corinthians says that today, not tomorrow, is the day of salvation. Today is the day to believe, accept, and yield to Jesus.

. . . for He says, “At the acceptable time I listened to you, and on the day of salvation I helped you.” Behold, now is “The acceptable time,” Behold, now is “The day of salvation.” (NASB) 2 Cor. 6:2

Hidden From The Proud. Matthew 11:25 says that God the Father has hidden “these things” from the wise and intelligent. What are “these things”? The hidden things are found in Matthew 11:10-19. “These things” include at least the identities of John the Baptist and of Jesus Christ. John was the forerunner of the coming Messiah, the fulfillment of “all the prophets,” and he was the long awaited “Elijah, who was to come.” Jesus was the promised One, the Messiah, the Christ, the Savior from sin, the Lord of lords, the King of kings, and our eternal God.

Due to the spiritual pride of some religious leaders who had already rejected Jesus, God knew that those leaders would never completely understand everything about John and Jesus. It would not make any difference in their future destiny what they knew. We must be careful not to conclude that every religious leader had rejected God. John 9:16 reveals that some of the religious leaders did believe in Jesus.

Therefore some of the Pharisees were saying, “This man is not from God, because He does not keep the Sabbath.” But others were saying, “How can a man who is a sinner perform such signs?” And there was a division among them. (NASB) John 9:16

John 19:38-39 states that Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, who had visited Jesus, became believers in and followers of Jesus Christ. Together these passages reveal that God provided enough information and spiritual insight for the religious leaders to believe in Jesus Christ. A few responded, but it appears that most rejected Him. True faith is evidenced by faith in and submission to Jesus Christ.

. . . close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. (NASB) Matt. 6:6

Truly, You are a God who hides Himself, O God of Israel, Savior! (NASB) Is. 45:15