Thoughts for the Day

At that time Jesus said, ‘I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

Jesus now turns to his Father in prayer. This is the second time we have seen him do this in Matthew's Gospel, the first time was in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6.9-13), which we know as the Lord's Prayer. Luke also has this second prayer, though there is a slight difference for he includes a mention of the Holy Spirit (Luke 10.21-22).

Jesus starts by giving thanks to God, acknowledging that his Father is "Lord of heaven and earth", and in doing so he reveals his intimate relationship with Him. He praises his Father that in His wisdom He has hidden the identity of Jesus as the Messiah from those who are wise and intelligent. He is thinking of men like the Pharisees and Sadducees who are powerful, but who are unable to discover the truth because they do not obey the scriptures, rather they abuse their authority. Instead God has revealed the identity of the Messiah to 'infants', that is to those who are unable to read or understand the scriptures, and who are social outcasts or who are oppressed. These humble people are the ones who flocked to Jesus and who though preyed on by the wise, saw Jesus for who he was, the Messiah.

Suddenly, instead of talking to his Father in front of the crowds, Jesus switches to speaking to them about the relationship he enjoys with his Father, and gives us a glimpse into the mystery of God, as Trinity. He says "All things have been handed over to me by my Father", and since his Father is Lord of heaven and earth, he is claiming authority with God. However, he is also talking about an intimate personal fellowship between him and His Father. We too were created to share in such a partnership but because of sin and death we have been separated from Him. However, God has revealed Himself to us through Jesus, for he is God revealed as man. We come into relationship with God as His child through belief, and through living out that faith the best way we can.

Heavenly Father,
You revealed Yourself to Your people as God
through Your Son, our Lord Jesus.
Many believed and were reunited with You.
Give us such faith that despite the cynicism of the world,
we may trust in Your promises
and answer the call to be Your children.
Then may we live a life of faithfulness
in accordance with Your will.
Amen.