God Knows What He Is Doing

At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children;  yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. – Matthew 11:25-26

The ESV translation does an odd thing in verse 26.  A much more literal reading comes from the KJV:  Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight, or, even more literally, “well-pleasing in Your sight.”  It looks good to God.  Bewildering those who think they know it all and pulling back the veil for those who are relatively simple and child-like makes the Lord happy.  Of course, it is His will, and, while I would be hesitant to presume that there are things which are the will of God that are not also pleasing to Him, some might be more pleasing than others.  God is not a machine.  He loves; He has compassion.  Jesus wept over Jerusalem.  Even more, the Lord of heaven and earth wept by the grave of a friend. 

In any case, Jesus is saying, in this context, that the truth of the revelation of Christ has been concealed from the wise.  Those who sought to understand the Scriptures, the religious leaders were, on the whole, rejecting Jesus.  Conversely, He and His message were being welcomed, accepted and followed by the common people – those regarded as foolish and unworthy by the elite and the learned. 

Jesus might be seen as acknowledging some surprise at the way things are going, but He also acknowledges His own pleasure in it, as well as it being in line with the Father’s will. 

Like Jesus, we often find ourselves in situations that might be, at least on the surface, contrary, at odds with our hopes and expectations.  If the Son of God, Second Person of the Trinity, God Incarnate could say, in effect, “Well, even so.  If You want it that way, that’s the way it will be,” we ought to be able to do the same. 

That does not mean that we are mere spectators.  We are often placed in situations not just to watch what goes on, but, as God’s agents, to bring about a change and make a difference in the lives of other people.  We are all, as believers, ordained to the various ministries of encouragement, healing, serving, and imparting hope, joy and peace. 

Those who want to change the world are just changing the sets on a stage.  The world and all that is in the world is passing away.  Why waste time on something that is time-bound and bound to change anyway?  Souls are forever.  Our calling is to individuals, to our families, our friends, our communion, our neighbors.  

Like the man who asked Jesus for a definition of neighbor, we aren’t always sure how far we ought to stretch.  According to the story of the Good Samaritan, our neighbor is the person we can help.  It depends, sometimes, on our gifts, our resources, even our location.  I can’t help everybody, but I can help somebody.  And the one I can help, I am called to help.