Unpuzzling God’s Word
“You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants.” | Matthew 11:25 (NLT)
Are you smarter than a third grader? A brainteaser featured on an episode of National Geographic’s Brain Games showed an image of a yellow school bus that was completely symmetrical on both ends. There was no hint which end was the front, and which was the back. The puzzle was to determine which direction the bus was going.
While grown-ups were left perplexed, National Geographic said 80 percent of children under age ten knew the correct answer immediately. How? They saw what adults overlooked, that there was no bus door showing, which meant it was on the other side closest to the sidewalk. The bus had to be going to the left.
Spiritual truth is something that can be just as perplexing to adults– or at least adult pretention. Those who come to the Word of God convinced they are smart and worldly wise, often find its life-giving contents confusing. How is it then, that some, perhaps even the most unlikely, are able to grasp the depths of the riches it contains?
Jesus revealed that mystery in a conversation with His Father right after the most learned religious people of the day soundly rejected what was clear to a few uneducated fishermen.
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. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do. 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” | Matthew 11:25–27 (NLT)
It doesn’t matter if one is as wise as Solomon or as simple as a child, spiritual truth is available only as Jesus chooses to reveal it. And it pleases Him to reveal it to those who come with open, childlike hearts ready to receive. In fact, He said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matt.18:3 (NLT).
If you feel like you are always trying to puzzle out meaning from Scripture, but it remains a riddle, it is not more intelligence that is needed, but a lowly and humble heart willing to ask Jesus to reveal what has been hidden.
What is something you struggle to understand about God? How will you respond?
This is an excerpt from Kim Wier’s 365-day devotional, ‘Everyday God.’ To find out how to purchase this devotional go here. Or join the free companion study below.
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Kim encourages others to live faithfully and purposefully as they follow Jesus daily. For more encouragement, follow Kim on Instagram @everydaykim_ .
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