Hi All
One of the aspects of the Gospels we see again and again is that Jesus upturns the expectations in this passage “thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike ” We need to re-recognise the need for humility in the sight of our God, to acknowledge we don’t have the answers, to be prepared to lay down our burdens, to trust, to take on his yoke. Yet do we do it, often we are too stubborn, Proverbs 3 calls upon us not too lean on our own understanding, but rather to trust the Lord with all our heart, to seek his will in all we do. If we were to do this, I believe if we were to do this we would have a much better comprehension of God’s will. Jesus calls upon us to abide in him, to know him is to know the Father.
Matthew 11 vs. 25-30 Jesus’ Prayer of Thanksgiving
At that time Jesus prayed this prayer: “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding
These things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike
We live in a world which says “Just Do It”, don’t worry there are no consequences, no chiding
It doesn’t matter if you step on others to get your own way, even if it seems astute and businesslike
Into this world the Church can and does need to be prophetic, to speak even if it’s not to their liking
Are we prepared to open ourselves to what God can reveal, to speak his word and other hearts strike?
In our busyness reading the paper, watching the news, do we shut out our God, are we in him abiding?
We are called to abide in God, to soak in his presence, to cherish his words, to be before him childlike
Yes, Father, it pleased you to do it this way! “My Father has entrusted everything to me.
No one truly knows the Son except the Father, and no one truly knows the Father except the Son
Do we know God, do we know his Son? Jesus desires that we abide in him, in him be
His loves for us so great that he acquiesced to God’s will he died in order that victory over sin was won
That we no longer be under condemnation, but new creations, be in me, Christ’s plea
Do we desire to enquire in his temple, to meditate upon him, to know the Father like his Son?
And those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.” Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you
Who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you.
God desires to reveal to us his word, and desires that we let go of that which blocks our view
Of what God sees and desires for us which is far greater than we can imagine or think we can do
Trust him that as you let go of your burdens and the things you have tried to handle it’s his purview
For those that wait upon him will have their strength renewed and be lifted up to see God’s view
Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest
For your souls, for my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
Are we prepared to be like Mary and sit at the feet of our master, and do what is best?
To choose the good course and listen to his words to us, which give us sight
In the mad busyness of this world it easy to be on an uphill treadmill and not seek rest
To be constantly on the run and trying to achieve and do what we think is right
Yet in doing so we can shut God out and lose sight of his plans and put him to the test
Humble yourself in his presence, let go and let God, for we are his love and delight
Mark Maffey, December 2007
(NLT)