Matthew 11:25-30
25 At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. 26 Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.
27 “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Questions:
ReplyDelete- So, should we be stupid and ignorant to hear from God?
- It seems like it's saying here that the only way to know God is through what Jesus reveals to us.
- So the Christian life is a restful and easy one?
http://christianity.stackexchange.com/questions/6502/what-things-is-jesus-talking-about-in-matthew-1125 says:
ReplyDelete"Things" is simply Truth, these Truths.
It is better to be humble than proud. Grace is better than triumph. That all credit for anything we achieve belongs to God.
Things like that.
Why would children have a greater understanding of this than the wise?
Children are naturally humble and honest. No false airs, no fluffy speech, the always tell you exactly what they think. They are not fake or artificial. They also are very aware that they are helpless and depended, as we should be.
http://dailyexegesis.blogspot.com/2009/10/you-have-hidden-these-things-from-wise.html says:
ReplyDeleteThis is a great paradox, a statement about the life of the world and the interaction of spiritual reality. We need a different sense of perception for this kingdom, for this spiritual intelligence, than we do for conventional education and intellectual understanding. Or, perhaps it is more accurate to say that we need an additional sense: all of our faculties work hand in hand.
My study bible points out that in this prayer of thanksgiving, it is implied that the Father alone is the source of knowledge, and he alone opens the hearts of men to receive it. He communicates in a hidden way to responsive hearts. The paradox is that the veiled reality of the kingdom is perceived by the "simpler" (or should we say more straightforward?) people, including sinners and as we have seen, so many who are cast out or marginally of the society; and not the more spiritually educated or sophisticated.
My study bible has the following interesting note: "The Son reveals only as much as we have the capacity to receive." If we are to take seriously yesterday's condemnation of the cities where this message has been rejected, and the implied responsibility revelation confers on each of us, then it must be that revelation is limited to the extent of our capability to receive, to perceive and to understand. Rejection must clearly be an act of will: therefore our paradox, in which the simple and meek accept and understand, and the more wise and intelligent fail, is one that is just. No one is turned away or without the capacity to receive, to understand. It is a question of a deep internal choice at some level.
http://www.davidlose.net/2014/07/matthew-11-25-30/ says:
ReplyDeleteAll of which sounds fine on the surface, even quite appropriate as something we would expect Jesus to say. Until it gets personal and we are forced to ask which group – strong or weak, important or unimportant, powerful or vulnerable – with which we identify. Or maybe which group with which we want to identify.
Are we willing to imagine that we are infants, those utterly vulnerable and dependent on God for all things? There are times, of course, when that realization is unavoidable – when brought low by the loss of work, or health, or a loved one, or a future. But day to day, most of us – and definitely myself included – try to avoid any sense of vulnerability and instead try to secure for ourselves and our loved ones a future that is secure, safe, and stable.
When I think of it this way, it suddenly seems so hard to be a disciple that it almost feels out of reach and I’m ready to give up. And then I hear the other part of Jesus’ words – that he invites all of us to come, whether we are aware of our vulnerability and need or not. Because, the thing is, we all carry heavy burdens. It’s just that it’s only when we realize it that Jesus’ invitation makes any sense and suddenly is no longer hard but easy, even welcome.
http://manna.mycpanel.princeton.edu/revisions/2013/03/what-is-child-like-faith/ says:
ReplyDeleteThe well-known Christian philosopher John Lennox once said, “When Jesus told us to have a child-like faith, he wasn’t telling us to be stupid.” While a theology degree is not a precondition to salvation, we should not be content with a simple understanding of the gospel either. On the contrary, child-like faith calls us to do the opposite – it calls us to pursue Christ with the curiosity of a wide-eyed child, constantly asking, “Why?” It calls us to seek Him with an eager desire to learn more, and to discover the richness of the gospel.
There’s something to be said for the devotion and certainty in the gospel in which “simple faith” is grounded. But that doesn’t mean that there shouldn’t be further exploration of the gospel. That doesn’t mean we should reject intellectual discussion and education. In fact, God says in Hosea 4:6, “Because you have rejected knowledge, I also reject you as my priests; because you have ignored the law of your God, I also will ignore your children.” If we reject knowledge – reject reading the Bible and reject discussing the scriptures with other Christians to arrive at a deeper understanding – how can we expect to know what God’s law commands us to do in different situations? How can we expect to understand the problem with sexual immorality, drunkenness, or dishonesty? How can we expect to discern God’s voice amongst all the other voices that we hear every day? If we refuse to listen to God’s voice and His Word, how can we expect Him to answer our questions?
1 Corinthians 13:11 presents the child metaphor in a different way: “When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me.” Understanding the basics of the gospel – summed up in John 3:16 – is crucial to our salvations. But our faith does not end there. God wants us to grow and mature in our faiths, eventually putting our childish ways behind us. He invites us to read His Word, and to ponder deeply about the scriptures, about our lives, and about the significance of our faith in the world today. If we are ever content with our understanding of the gospel and the Bible, then we lack a child-like faith.
http://www.bibleanswerstand.org/father.htm says:
ReplyDeleteTo whom does Jesus reveal his Father?
Before you answer this question, give it some serious consideration. Here are some of the many ‘techniques’ that Christians think will cause them to know God:
“We need to pray more…real prayer…intercession…weeping and seeking Him on our faces.”
“Repentance and mourning for sin…true repentance…from the heart…forsaking sin is the only way to know a holy God.”
“Praise and worship, that’s the way to really know God. God dwells in the praises of His people. When we praise Him, His presence is near, and we have true fellowship with Him in the holy of holies.”
“Seeking Him in His word, the scriptures. God is truly worshipped in spirit AND truth! Unless we spend time studying the scriptures, how can we know Him in truth?”
“Not forsaking the assembling together is the key. We must have fellowship, and be accountable to one another. You can’t really walk with God, and know Him unless you go to a good church. God’s gifts are demonstrated through the members of the body of Christ, and these lead us into the knowledge of who He is in His fullness.”
Had enough? Let’s try to think of more techniques! Yes, that’s it, more ideas, and more sermons, more church services, more, more, more!
Having a tough time understanding Jesus? Let’s help the wise and learned. On second thought, let’s not. After all, the Father, the Lord of heaven and earth, has hidden it from them, so why try? So let’s talk to the kids. That’s right smarty-pants, unless you have the heart of a little child, the Father has hidden Himself from you. Now that we have made the scholars, theologians, scribes and Pharisees mad at us, let’s talk to the children.
Jesus goes a step further. He tells his own disciples that they must receive the kingdom of God just like a child does, or else they won’t enter into it themselves!
What is it that Jesus sees in little children? There must be certain characteristics that are inherent in young children that made Jesus say what he did. It is ESSENTIAL that true seekers grasp this most basic and simple truth. If you love the Lord, and truly want to know God as your father, you must relate to Him as a little child.
It’s a ‘no-brainer.’ You want to know God as your Father? Then you have to be His child.
http://www.bibleanswerstand.org/father.htm (continued):
ReplyDeleteMaturing into a relationship where one knows God involves becoming like a small child in your heart. Jesus said that you must be “trusting, lowly, loving, forgiving”. Think about it. Contrast how we “mature” adults handle life with what are very young children are like?
Do they wrangle over whose church or pastor is the best?
Do they handle conflict and difficult situations all on their own?
What happens when they get hurt? With tears coursing unashamedly down their innocent cheeks, they rush to the open arms of their parents, seeking - and receiving - the loving comfort that only a parent can give.
Are they stressed out over meetings and deadlines and financial bottom lines?
Do they worry about what they will eat or be clothed with? Do they not trust their earthly parents to provide those things, just as we are supposed to trust our Heavenly Father? (See Matt 6:25-34)
Are they rushing through life, so busy about many things, that they neglect to enjoy the beauty and wonder of God’s creation? No! A child delights in the simple beauty that the Father has so lovingly placed all around us. Notice a child’s delight as he discovers a fuzzy caterpillar, beautiful flower (i.e. dandelion J) or a mud puddle. Simple, abandoned joy – delighting in the moment.
Young children idolize their daddies. No one is “bigger or stronger or better” than my daddy. Perhaps we should let down our ecclesiastical, self-righteous, ‘know-it-all’ Christian façade, and consider approaching our Heavenly Father as His child, rather than as His equal.
A child freely gives love to those who love him or her, often throwing chubby little arms around the neck of their parent and smothering their cheeks with wet kisses. There is no holding back in their love and affection. No pretense and no facades. Yet how often we “mature” Christians pretend with our loved ones. We wear a mask, hiding our true feelings. We tell people we are “just fine” when we are in desperate need of their friendship and understanding. Or we pretend to love and care about one another, then viciously gossip and attack them later. What phony hypocrites we can be!
Now that we understand what “Abba Father” means, the next passage speaks to us of maturing in the family of God. Yes, even children must mature and grow. Even Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.
Maturity doesn’t mean we revert back to being self-righteous know-it all Christians. Maturing has to do with understanding what our Father desires, and responding in obedience, desiring always to please Him.
http://livingbyfaithblog.com/2012/09/19/come-to-me-all-who-are-weary/ says:
ReplyDeleteWhat rest does Jesus promise?
Notice — this rest comes from taking His yoke and learning from Him . . . So the yoke is a picture of learning from Jesus.
What will Jesus teach us that will bring us rest? Jesus gives us rest by revealing the Father to us.
We are weary with too much to do — but Jesus shows us that the Father will give us the grace to do whatever He calls us to do (2Cor 9:8).
We face tough decisions — but Jesus shows us that the Father will give us all the wisdom we need for every decision we face (James 1;5).
We are exhausted by setbacks — but Jesus shows us the Father’s all-satisfying presence (Psa 63:5-6) — and that He has had a wise and loving purpose for every setback (Jer 29:11).
In v.27 Jesus said He “reveals” the Father to us.
That word shows this involves a supernatural, Holy-Spirit, heart-changing work.
http://www.meetingwithchrist.com/E023%20I%20will%20give%20you%20rest%20-%20Mt%2011(25-30).htm says:
ReplyDeleteMatthew 11:28. Come to Me, all you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
This means that the only way you can come to a true conviction of this is directly from God speaking to you. Logic and reasoning will not convince you of this because to every human statement, there is always an objection that can be raised. This doesn’t mean that you cannot use reason. It simply means that reason alone is never enough. You will never come to a burning conviction of this reality nor will you ever be able to see this clearly until God reveals it to you.
The only way to know God is through revelation and that revelation is always direct faith.
The Lord Jesus doesn’t just make a wonderful promise. He puts also an important demand or condition on that promise.
We want to know the whole truth, and not just part of the truth, even if this other part is to make us uncomfortable. Don’t just pick the verses that you happen to like. And here I want to insist on the fact that no one can find rest in Christ for his soul if he doesn’t meet the conditions that Jesus also speaks about.
So what are these conditions? . . . Come to Me, take My yoke, and learn of Me. All these words lead to the person of Christ. If we want to find the rest unto our soul, if we want to find the sweetness of fellowship with God, that’s what we have to do.
Christian living is not just about attending church every Sunday or having your devotion every morning, or agreeing with the doctrines of your church. All this is certainly good, but it is much more than that. The Lord Jesus is concerned about you being His disciple, a disciple who practices His teaching. And He is saying that it is only when you truly become a disciple of Jesus that you will experience the fullness of that rest in Christ. To come, to take and to learn.
It is to those who are burdened, who labor under the burden of sin.
I hope that you now understand that it is a verse that has to do with salvation. It is Jesus calling mankind for its salvation. When Jesus says that He will reveal Himself to whom He wants to reveal Himself, it doesn’t mean that He is going to do it at random like playing bingo. He will reveal Himself to the babes, as we read in v. 25, to the humble, to the poor in spirit, to those who recognize that their life is under the yoke of their own sins and that they need a Savior. And when you move towards Jesus under His conditions, as a disciple to his Master, to come, to take, and to learn, then you will find rest for your souls for all eternity.
http://www.fridaystudy.org/html/matthew/matthew11_28_30.htm says:
ReplyDeleteAll too many have thought of “rest” as something like being sprawled on a recliner in front of a TV set. Or we might see ourselves in a mountain cabin next to a beautiful lake. Retirement from work is seen as “rest” for many people.
quote from J. Patrick: “Here (in Matthew 11:29), the contrast seems to be to the burden imposed by the Pharisees. Christ’s rest is not a rest from work, but IN work. NOT THE REST OF INACTIVITY but of the harmonious working of all the faculties and affections of will, heart, imagination, and conscience, because (he) has found in God the ideal sphere for satisfaction and development.” Our need to rest is different than we thought. Our need is to be in Him who gives us rest inside our soul.
All too often our dreams about “rest” are just a flight of fantasy. When you think about it, TV all too often leaves you with a drained and unfulfilled feeling. “Retirement” has been grim for many. This is a restless world, and we finally conclude there is no true rest in this place at all. These words are important: You will only find true REST in the Lord!
REST is found in Christ. It is in no other person, place or thing. “Come unto” Him, for He IS the only way.
In the Book of Hebrews, Chapters 3 and 4, there is an interesting discussion of “rest” in relation to the people Israel. Chapter 3 concludes (verse 19), “they were not able to enter (His rest, verse 18) because of unbelief.” When we finally and utterly believe Him, we can at last find His rest, which is what we have always needed.
In the Garden of Eden “rest” simply meant that God had COMPLETED His work of creation (Genesis 2:2). There was nothing more to be added – it was all done. There was no more need. There was a FULFILLMENT placed within creation that, for now, no longer exists in this material universe. This REST that is gone from life is once more offered to us in Christ.
When you finally KNOW you are in Christ, you become SATISFIED. Oh, yes, the troubles of life will go on.
When you enter the REST of God in Christ, there is work involved, but the work is HIS, not yours, and that is why our Scripture for today continues: "Take my yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you shall find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Jesus’ rest is sometimes like the peace found within the eye of a hurricane. The storms of life may rage all around you here on earth, but you are given peace and can even rejoice, because you are with Him and in Him.
My 2 cents:
ReplyDeleteI think the above articles addressed the questions (plus a lot else). Here is my attempt to summarize in my own words. I'll ask each question again separately and provide what I think the answer is.
1. So, should we be stupid and ignorant to hear from God?
We should do whatever we can to gain wisdom and learning, but we should realize we are little children before God. The danger of gaining a little wisdom is that we start to rely on it and become proud of it as we compare ourselves with others. At that point we stop learning from God. God can only teach us when we have a teachable heart. That is, when we realize how ignorant we are before God and how much we need Him to know anything.
2. It seems like it's saying here that the only way to know God is through what Jesus reveals to us.
I've been taught a lot of times that to get close to God, I have to do spiritual disciplines, when in fact spiritual disciplines are our response to our desire to be close to God. A pharisee does spiritual disciplines, but they aren't about God and they rely on them and become proud of them. A child just loves God and just wants to spend time with Daddy and help Him do stuff - so spiritual disciplines are a natural outcome of this. Jesus is the one who reveals Daddy to us.
3. So the Christian life is a restful and easy one?
I struggle with this one. This is where my faith is at it's weakest. I look at people like Paul and Jeremiah, who constantly worked and suffered for God. Yet, they probably understood exactly what Jesus said. I think Jesus was describing a person who truly has come to Him and handed her/his life over. At that point, that person doesn't have to worry about anything. They will be passionate about Jesus' yoke for them and work hard under it. But, in many ways it will be gentle and easy - and we will find peace for our souls if we could just give in.