THE MEEKNESS OF CHRIST

Devotion #3 of 13

"I am meek and lowly in heart" -- Jesus THANKS BE TO GOD! Jesus prays

Now Jesus addresses the Father about this predicament. Hard hearts and obstinate wills confront Him, and He thanks God for it. "At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight." The "wise and the prudent" are those wise in their own eyes; those who rely on natural resources, and seek not the wisdom that comes "from above" (James 3:17). The world's wisdom is impotent when it comes to the appropriation of heavenly things. It has been "destroyed" by God, as He promised: "For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent" (1 Cor 1:19). Though men engage in diligent efforts to justify and praise the wisdom of men, God does not recognize it in matters pertaining to life and godliness. "Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this world? Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe" (1 Cor 1:20-21). Every professed believer does well to take these words seriously. They are intended to alert us to things as they really are. Anything that is to the contrary is only a delusion.

THE WISE AND THE PRUDENT "Wise" by this world's estimation

The "wise and the prudent" are those enamored of the wisdom that has been "destroyed" by the Almighty. They are "wise and prudent" from the world's point of view. They are not so recognized in heaven. Stubbornly, they cling to the inferior realm. To do this after they have been confronted with the Lord of glory is not innocent. There is no satisfactory explanation for tenaciously clinging to the wisdom of this world when the "Wisdom of God" has been revealed in Christ (1 Cor 1:24). God hides the truth of the Gospel from such people. That is why they cannot see it. Their obtuseness is the result of divine judgment, and is something for which we are to give thanks. God will not allow those attracted to the wisdom of this world to traffic in heavenly realities. They will not understand them, and certainly will not proclaim them!

BABES "Babes" from the world's perspective

Babes are those who sense, and acquiesce to, their dependence upon the Lord. These are "babes" from the earthly point of view. They are perceived as inferior and helpless by those professed experts in this world's wisdom. David spoke of this status of dependence: "Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger" (Psa 8:2). Jesus quoted this passage when the children praised Him, while the apparently discerning remained silent (Matt 21:6). "Babes" is not descriptive of a spirit of naivety, but rather of reliance and trust. Peter wrote, "As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby" ( Pet 2:2). To such, God will "reveal" the Person and accomplishments of Christ. Jesus will thus be perceived as the remedy for the human condition--an accessible Remedy! Admittedly, this type of reliance is viewed as juvenile, even infantile, by those attracted to the world's wisdom. Notwithstanding, not one "babe" will be disappointed in their faith!

IT SEEMED GOOD IN THY SIGHT A little known view

Here is a little known facet of God. It is "good" to Him that those dominated by the world's wisdom cannot perceive the things of God. It is also true that those refusing to be dominated by the world order have eternal things revealed to them! Suffice it to say, if it is good in God's sight, it must also be good in ours. This does not mean we deprecate learning or scholarship. It does mean that we will not allow them to occupy the throne of our mind. We will not rely upon them to unlock the mysteries of the Kingdom, or to show us the Lord's Christ.

-- TOMORROW: EVERYTHING IS DELIVERED TO THE SON --