Living in the Spirit
July 9, 2023
Scripture Reading: Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30
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.
‘Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’ –Matthew:11:25-30
What criteria did Jesus use to determine anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him? Jesus said he revealed God’s truth to infants. What are the characteristics of infants? My sister told me about her great-granddaughter’s visit to my sister’s house on the 4th of July. The great-granddaughter turned one year old a couple of weeks ago, shortly after she had taken her first steps. It took the whole family to keep an eye on her. She was everywhere at once, curious about everything. MedlinePlus.gov describes infants thusly, The infant prefers the human voice. Touch, taste, and smell, mature at birth; prefers sweet taste. Vision, the newborn infant can see within a range of 8 to 12 inches (20 to 30 centimeters). Color vision develops between 4 to 6 months. Infants start life with a clean slate.
Infants have the, sometimes dangerous, enthusiasm to learn uncluttered by previous experience. We cannot claim such innocence by the time we are two years old. I was a cradle Christian, so I have no idea what it feels like to never have known about God. That was true about the cradle Jews Jesus was trying to reach with a new approach to a relationship with God. The last piece of this scripture is one of my favorites. We are assured that God is always with us as we grow in faith, just like my great grand niece, who was allowed to explore under the watchful care of loving relatives.
Prayer: Amen.
All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.