Matthew 11:25 “… you have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and revealed them to the infants.”

hidden and revealed

Jesus is speaking in towns after being contacted by John the Baptist, who is in prison and seeks clarity before he dies on his mission. v3 “are you the one… or should we expect someone else.” Just a desire for a little clarity. Is it doubt? I don’t know, but never a bad thing to make sure you are dying for the right thing. And John tells those “Baptist disciples” – “go and report what you hear and see… the blind (see)… lame walk… leprosy cleansed… deaf hear… dead raised… and the poor are told the good news.” Sometimes we try and over analyze, over think, just go and report what you have seen and heard… Sometimes we are too smart for our own good.

Jesus asks them… what were you looking for? When you went to the wilderness to hear John, were you looking for a reed that sways in the wind or an oak of truth standing straight in the midst of the raging wind? Were you looking for fancy clothes? Were you looking for a prophet? Well, you got that and more. Sometimes we go looking for what is missing, but when we get it, it isn’t what we thought, and we are too smart, and we want something else. Happens in the church all the time, “we want someone to tell us the truth and lead us… then 6 months later it’s “oh no, not that way.” Jesus says that John IS the promised 2nd Elijah that would come before the Messiah, v15 “if you have ears, LISTEN” (I know you heard, now listen)

So then down in v21 Jesus begins to scold the pretty little Galilean towns where he had done miracles. He talks about where he did his prime ministry, and he says, if Tyre, Sidon, Sodom had seen what you saw, they (those evil historically looked down on cities) they would have repented, wouldn’t have been destroyed.

But we are too smart…

v25 “I praise you Father, Lord of Heaven and Earth, because you have hidden…

Hidden from the Wise and Intelligent – Ok smart ones don’t over think this. Intelligent ones, don’t try to over analyze this. Jesus is NOT preaching a message of exclusion. The wonderful message of Christ, the gospel, is hidden from those who WILL NOT SEE, and will not HEAR. It is not about CANNOT but WILL NOT.

It is like me writing out the recipe to the greatest meal ever had and “hiding” it on the top of the table, right here, and telling you it is here. But it is “hidden” because 1) you think it isn’t good 2) you think you won’t like it 3) you will not come to the table 4) you won’t cook and eat it. So, the recipe is “hidden” – that Greek word is krypto – oh it’s hidden, it’s cryptic, when one won’t take and apply it. But Jesus says it is “revealed” – Apokalypto to the infants – nepios . literally simple-minded, child. The one who will not overthink it but hear. Earlier in Matthew 11 Jesus addresses some of them as spoiled children who fuss at people for not dancing to their tune. But these are not those children spoiled by entitlement thoughts. No, these are surrendered, humble, grateful, children. They are hungry, needy, willing, wanting, happy to receive, honest, and grateful.

What’s the difference between those from home it is hidden, and those to whom revealed? DISTANCE and DEFERENCE. – When we hear and understand v25 and the context of this chapter’s teaching, THEN we understand the more famous words coming. Jesus says, “no one knows the Father but the Son, and anyone whom the son desires to reveal – “There it is pastor, see it’s exclusionary to a special few” – NO

What makes the difference is Position and Palpability, Distance and Deference – Far or Near – Willing or Unwilling – and so he says to ALL – vv28-30 Come, Give, Takes, Learn, Find, it’s Easy

Come to me, all of you, who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is east and my burden is light

Come, give, take, learn, find, easy rest

Oh I’ll stop here – but go back and read those verses again 28-30… Hear Jesus speaking both to the wise and to the simple… and only the simple childlike find the revelation.

The answer is not hard, but it IS located by Jesus, if you will come and see.