At that time, Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and declared, "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 was well-pleasing in Your sight. Sermons Our thought is directed to - I. THE GLADNESS OF GRATITUDE. "Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father." Joy and thankfulness are here united, as indeed they are everywhere. It is gratitude that holds the key to happiness of heart and life. Who are the miserable? Not the poor; they are often the most contented. Not the afflicted; they are often very cheerful under great privation. Not the lonely; they are found happy in their solitude, conversing with the departed great or communing with the Highest. It is the ungrateful who are the unhappy; it is they who take every kindness shown them by their fellow-men in a spirit of surliness, as if they deserved more than they have received; it is they who accept innumerable mercies and the "unspeakable Gift" at the hand of God without response, unmindful of the one, unappreciative of and ungrateful for the other. Who are the happy? Not the rich because they are rich; not the strong because they are strong; not those who have many friends because they have them. These may be burdened, wearied, wretched, and their life be darkly shadowed. It is the grateful who are the happy souls; it is they who receive with appreciation and thankfulness whatever man may give them, whether of love, of confidence, of sympathy, of practical help; it is they who have a deep sense of the kindness of the heavenly Father, and of the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. The heart that is full of gratitude is the heart that is full of joy; and such joy is both pure and lasting. II. THE HERITAGE OF THE HUMBLE-HEARTED. "Thou hast hid these things from the wise,... and revealed them unto babes." 1. In our Lord's time the scribes and lawyers "rejected the counsel of God;" they refused the wisdom of the Wisest; and the supercilious Sadducees stood aloof from the kingdom of Divine truth, from the kingdom of God. The "wise and prudent" were too haughty of heart to part with their beloved prejudices and to welcome the new truth which the great Teacher brought them. But the "common people heard him gladly;" all "the people" were "very attentive to hear him." The fishermen of Galilee left their nets and their ships to follow him. 2. In the time of the apostles the same results were found (see 1 Corinthians 1:26-28). 3. In our own time we find that they who have gathered together a little human learning are apt to think that they are competent to solve, unaided, all the great problems of their being and their destiny, and they close the gates of their mind against the great verities of the Christian faith. But they who know how little they have grasped of all that is to be acquired, and who stand as "babes," as very little children, before the Divine Father, are ready to welcome to their souls all that he is ready to reveal to them, and theirs is the blessed heritage of spiritual truth, of heavenly wisdom, of eternal life. III. THE REFUGE OF THE PERPLEXED. "Even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight." We have our perplexities now, and they, may weigh upon our spirit with crushing power. We cannot understand God's doings or his inaction in the wide human world, or in the Church of Christ, or in the more limited sphere where our own interests and efforts lie. The more we think the more we are assured that we are baffled and beaten. The various solutions proposed do not reach the heart of the difficulty. What, then, can we do? Just retreat to that safe refuge - the strong, immovable assurance that all things are in the hands, and are subject to the guidance, of a holy, wise, loving Father. - C.
Jesus rejoiced in Spirit. Learn hence —1. That till God reveals Himself, His nature and will, no man can know either what He is, or what He requires — "Thou hast revealed." 2. That the wise and knowing men in the world have in all ages despised the mysteries of the gospel, and have therefore been judicially blinded by God — "Thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent." When men shut their eyes against the clearest light, and say they will not see, God closes their eyes and says they shall not see. 3. That the most ignorant, if humble, and desirous of spiritual illumination, are in the readiest disposition to embrace the gospel revelation — "Thou hast revealed them unto babes." 4. That this is not more pleasing to Christ than it is the pleasure of His Father — "Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Thy sight."Observe — Our Saviour magnifies Himself: 1. His authority and commission — "All things are delivered unto Me"; that is, all power is committed unto Me, as Mediator, from God the Father. 2. His office to reveal His Father's will to a lost world — "No man knoweth the Father but the Son, or the Son but the Father"; that is, no man knoweth their essence and nature, their will and pleasure, their counsel and consent, their mutual compact and agreement betwixt themselves, for saving a lost world, but only themselves, "and those to whom they have revealed it." Learn thence, That all saving knowledge of God is in, by, and through Christ; He, as the Great Prophet of His Church, reveals unto us the mind and will of God for our salvation. (W. Burkitt.) 1. Let me ask you if you resemble Christ in rejoicing at the success of true religion? He greatly rejoiced in spirit, and gave thanks to His Father, that Satan was dethroned, and that, though some were obstinate, others were blessed with a saving discovery of Divine things.2. Beware of being proud of your own wisdom and prudence, and cherish the humility and teachableness of babes. 3. We should learn, from the twenty-second verse, never to separate the truths of what is called natural religion from the gospel. The idea that there is, or can be, any true and acceptable religion whatever, apart from the revelation of Christ, is here shown to be quite preposterous. The true Witness declares that no man can know the Father except he to whom He shall reveal Him. 4. Let us be thankful for the precious religious privileges which we enjoy, and careful to improve them. " Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see." 5. Lastly: Are we blessed, because our eyes see, and our ears hear these things? — then, Christian benevolence should lead us to feel for those who enjoy no such privileges, and to do everything we can to extend them to the utmost corners of the earth. (James Foote, M. A.) The sublimity of this joy we feel the more, when we compare with it that of the seventy. They rejoice in the great things, He in the good brought to pass; they have their joy directed to the outer, Jesus His to the moral world; they rejoice alone in the present, Jesus also in the past and the future; they are disposed to self-praise, Jesus to thankful adoration.(Van Oosterzee.) 1. An example of the joy which the Lord sometimes experienced upon earth.2. An image of the joy which He now experiences in heaven. 3. A presage of the blessedness which He shall hereafter taste when the kingdom of God shall be fully perfected. (Van Oosterzee.) It is remarkable that this is the only instance on record in the Gospels in which our Lord is said to have rejoiced. Yet I do not think it would be fair to infer from the fact of a solitary mention of His rejoicing that He did not rejoice at other times; on the contrary, our Lord must, despite His sorrow, have possessed a peaceful, happy spirit. He was infinitely benevolent, and went about doing good; and benevolence always finds a quiet delight in blessing others. Moreover, our Lord was so pure that He had a well of joy within which could not fail Him. Besides, Christ Jesus was a man of faith; faith's highest exposition and example. He it was, who "for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame." His faith must, therefore, have anticipated the reward of His passion, and have brought the joy thereof home to Him even while He sorrowed here. It is clear that joy was not a distinguishing feature in our Lord's life, so as to strike the beholder. Peace may have sat serenely on His brow, but nothing of the exuberant spirits which are seen in some men, for His countenance was marred with lines of care and grief. The words here used are very emphatic. "He rejoiced." The Greek word is much stronger than the English rendering; it signifies "to leap for joy." It is the word of the blessed Virgin's song, "My spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour." Strong emotions of delight were visible upon our Lord's face, and were expressed by the tones of His voice as well as by His words. It is clear that He was greatly glad. The text also says, He "rejoiced in spirit": that is, deep down in the very centre of His nature, in that largest and moat capacious part of His human being, the Redeemer rejoiced.I. Our Lord's joy was JOY IS THE FATHER'S REVELATION OF THE GOSPEL. 1. I call your attention to the fact that He ascribed all that was done to the Father, and joyed that the Father was working with Him. 2. The Saviour's joy was that through the Father's grace men were being enlightened. 3. Further, our Saviour's joy lay very much in this, that this revelation to men was being made through such humble instruments. 4. And yet, further, His great joy was that the converts were of such a character as they were. 5. Our Lord's joy sprang from one other source, namely, His view of the manner in which God was pleased to save His people. It was by revealing these things to them. There is, then, to every man who is saved a revelation, not of anything over and above what is given us in the Word of God; but of that same truth to Himself personally and with power. In the word is the light; but what is needed is that each man's eye should be opened by the finger of God to see it. II. OUR LORD'S MODE OF EXPRESSIVE HIS JOY. 1. His joy finds tongue in thanksgiving. 2. He found expression for His joy in declaring the Father's sovereignty. 3. He delighted in the special act of sovereignty which was before Him, that the Lord had "hid these things from the wise and prudent, and had revealed them unto babes." His voice, as it were, went with the Father's voice; He agreed with the Father's choice, He rejoiced in it, He triumphed in it. III. Thirdly, and briefly, I want you to see OUR LORD'S EXPLANATION OF THE FATHER'S ACT. 1. The Father had been pleased to hide these things from the wise and prudent and to reveal them unto babes, and Jesus Christ is perfectly satisfied with that order of things, quite content with the kind of converts He has and the kind of preachers that God has given Him. The Lord Jesus does not need prestige. 2. See how the Lord explains it yet further, by showing that human wisdom cannot find out God. Next, learn that the sovereignty of God is always exercised in such a way that the pure in heart may always rejoice in it. God never did a sovereign act yet that the loving Christ Himself could not rejoice in. The ultimate honour of the gospel is secured unto God alone, let that be our last lesson. (C. H. Spurgeon.) Revealed them unto babes. The babe is the representative of the receptive spirit. Its characteristic is trust, openness to impression, and freedom from prejudice. The disciples were babes who lay open to the Divine message, and did not interpose theories and traditions. They were poor and knew it, and were willing to become rich. To them God revealed. But the revealing to a certain disposition is of necessity the hiding from its opposite.I. TO REVEAL TO BABES HARMONIZES WITH GOD'S CHARACTER AS A FATHER AND ILLUSTRATES IT. "Babe" is the counterpart to "Father" — "wise and understanding" has no such relation. The wise and understanding might have a special relation to an almighty Taskmaster, an infinite Schoolmaster and Prizegiver; but certainly not to an infinite Father. A father's heart is not attracted to the brilliance or power in his family, but to the want. The gospel is salvation by the free gift of God. Any true conception of the evil of sin, and its effects on the soul, renders other ideas of salvation incredible. We call God Father, and ask His forgiveness. Salvation by grace is bound up with the Divine arrangement, which reveals to babes. The distinction of the babe is just here — he is adapted to salvation by grace. II. IT GLORIFIES GOD AS LORD OF HEAVEN AND EARTH TO REVEAL TO BABES. That God is Lord of heaven and earth makes His lowliness not less, but more needful and credible. The more you extend the empire of God, the more necessary it is for the heart to feel that God is lowly, and to have abundant proof of it. The higher and mightier you conceive God to be, the less it will appear credible to you that He should show preference to force of any kind. III. BY REVEALING TO BABES THE FATHER AND LORD OF HEAVEN AND EARTH MANIFESTS THE SUPREMACY OF THE MORAL ELEMENT. What a calamity it would have been if the highest blessing had been in any way specially associated with intellectual qualities. This would have been to confirm and glorify the false estimate already so prevalent and so disastrous. But when God passes by the soaring imagination, the lofty intellect, the keen understanding, and puts His main blessing into the lowly heart and open spirit, when He comes down to the very lowest form of the moral and spiritual, the mere sense of want, the mere hunger for better things, and gives infinite eternal wealth to that — what a rebuke He conveys to pride of intellect; what honour He confers upon plain heart and conscience. Now is the false judgment of the world reversed. Now substance is put in place of show. Now spirit is exalted over form. Now right is put on the royal seat. IV. IT GLORIFIES GOD AS FATHER AND LORD OF HEAVEN AND EARTH TO REVEAL TO BABES; FOR IT SHOWS HIS DESIRE TO REVEAL AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE, AND TO AS MANY AS POSSIBLE. Had God then revealed to the wise and understanding, He would have hidden from the world as a whole. By revealing to babes He gives hope to universal humanity. The babe slumbers in every soul however artificial or proud, and may be wakened up by some simple touch of pathos, or glimpse of memory, as well as by disaster. God who reveals to babes shows that it is man himself that He wants, not man's accomplishments, not man's energies, and distinctions and elevations, but man. V. THE APPOINTMENT OF A PERSONAL SAVIOUR GLORIFIES GOD AS FATHER AND LORD OF HEAVEN AND EARTH, AND IS PECULIARLY ADAPTED TO BABES. Jesus is the typical original Babe, the perfect, infinite example of the receptive spirit; therefore He reveals the Father, and is the refuge of men and the rest for the weary. On account of the very vastness of the lordship of heaven and earth a person is needed to bring God near, to show that it is a lordship, and not a mere system; and that there is a heart at the centre. The gospel is salvation by a person. Trust in Christ saves us. This suits the babes, and, therefore, at bottom, all men. (J. Leckie, D. D.) I. THE INTELLECTUAL CONTRAST. The world, Christ would tell us, is divisible into the simple and the wise. Our Lord rejoices that the larger section is not excluded from participation in the things of the kingdom of God; that men do not need worldly wisdom and the prudence of experience in order to knowing the truths of salvation. No exclusive sentence is written over the portals of Christianity. It is adjusted to the lowest and meanest capacity. Christ's mission was to all humanity, and He rejoiced in that fact.II. THE MORAL CONTRAST. He wishes to tell us what is essential — that it is only to the child-heart that revelation will be made. We know the contrast between the childheart and a heart sophisticated by life. Worldly and hardened hearts cannot receive the revelation of the things of heaven. 1. It is even so in regard to the world of beauty around us. We fill our hearts with cares, and immerse ourselves in business, so that we cannot see the beauty of a landscape which entrances the child-heart. 2. It is true also of noble actions or ideas: only the care-free childheart feels their beauty and sublimity. 3. When a great evil is to be dealt with, we notice how slowly the consciences of worldly-wise, practical men rise to a great public duty, and how swiftly the child-heart perceives the line between right and wrong. III. THE PRACTICAL RESULT. Christ rejoices that none are excluded from His kingdom. But no gigantic effort of intellect will enable us to climb over the battlements of heaven. Wisdom is nearer to us when we stoop. (Bishop Boyd Carpenter) I. THE FACT.1. A childlike mind is required in those who would receive Christ and His kingdom. 2. The first disciples were children and men of childlike mind. 3. In the present day, the gospel is for the childlike. II. THE SECRET. 1. The nature of the truth revealed requires a childlike mind for the reception of it.(1) Its novelty. It is not contrary to true reason; but it is aside from and different from the old results of human reason.(2) Its unwordliness. The eyes that are wearied with poring over earthly lore are often too worn to bear the light of heavenly truth. This requires a healthy, fresh vision.(3) Its lowliness. A gospel for the simple is not necessarily a simple gospel. 2. The method of the revelation requires a childlike mind for the reception of it. It is not given by logical demonstration, but through act and life. We must see it with the soul's eyes. For the clearness of this spiritual vision we need (1) (2) (3) III. THE THANKSGIVING. Why? 1. It is according to God's will. 2. It redounds to the glory of God. (1) (2) (3) 3. It proves the breadth of revelation. 4. It brings to us the best discipline in revelation. (W. F. Adeney, M. A.) (1) (2) (3) 2. This cannot be different. (1) (2) (3) 3. This may not be different; for, even in this way — (1) (2) (3) (Van Oosterzee.) I. HE SPEAKS OF THEM AS HAVING BEEN HIDDEN FROM SOME. 1. Divine truths were not hidden from these people through any want of outward revelation. 2. Nor through any lack of intellectual ability to understand them. They were "the wise and prudent." 3. Nor through any influence exerted by God for the purpose. "Thou hast hid," &c., must be interpreted in the broad light of our Saviour's teaching as a whole. 4. In what sense, then, are we to understand that Divine truths were hidden from these people? To answer this question we must first answer another, namely, Who were the wise and prudent from whom these truths were concealed?(1) They were not really the wise and prudent.(2) They supposed themselves to be so, and gloried in the supposition. There is in such a case an element of retribution of which we must not lose sight. The retribution consists in this — that these people, having wilfully shut their minds against the revelations of God's truth, are left by God to the consequences of their self-inflicted blindness. II. HE SPEAKS OF THEM AS HAVING BEEN REVEALED TO OTHERS. The word "babes" is clearly intended to be antithetic to the words "wise and prudent." As by the wise and prudent, the Saviour meant those who were proud, ostentatious, self-sufficient, thinking of themselves more highly than they ought to think, and looking down on others with a cold indifference or a supercilious contempt; so by babes He meant those who were humble, teachable, self-distrustful, feeling themselves to be destitute of all real good, and being willing to receive help and blessing from whatever quarter or in whatsoever way it might come. To such as these Divine truths were revealed, and only to such. 1. It was not because they had been favoured with a greater amount of light respecting these truths. 2. It was not because they had been supplied with better means of preparation for the reception of these truths. 3. It was not because they had been made the exclusive objects of a selecting love. 4. It was because they were in a fit and proper mood for the reception of spiritual truths. With respect to this revelation of Divine truths to the humble we have to notice two things, each of which suggests a practical lesson well worth learning:(1) It was a source of grateful joy to the Saviour's heart.(2) It had His cordial and unqualified acquiescence. In conclusion, let us remember that if we would be as babes to whom Divine truths are revealed, we must not only bow before God in self-abasement and contrition, but we must look for the revelation of those truths through Jesus Christ. This point comes out in ver. 22, "All things are delivered," etc. (B. Wilkinson, F. G. S.) (J. Parker, D. D.) (J. Parker, D. D.) (Dr. Martineau.) (Dr. Martineau.) (Dr. Martineau.) (Dr. Martineau.) (Handbook to Scripture Doctrines.) (Life of Pascal.) II. THE INCARNATE SON OF GOD REVEALING. NOW mark, I beseech you, that all this glory of the Father, made to shine in the face of Jesus Christ, is unknown to the sinner as long as he is blinded. III. THE SALVATION SECURED THEREBY. Contrived and bestowed by God the Father. Carried out by God the Son. It is, therefore, infallible, and it secures the glory of Jehovah. (J. Irons.) 2. Legitimate. 3. Beneficent. 4. Ever-enduring. (Van Oosterzee.) 2. How far it can be the object of our knowledge. (Van Oosterzee.) 2. A revealed mystery. 3. Even after the revelation yet continually a partially concealed mystery. (Van Oosterzee.) 1. Does He not claim to be Divinely constituted as a Revealer of God? "All things are delivered to Me of My Father." 2. Our Lord speaks here also of the glorious mystery of His own person and character. No man, nor angel, nor archangel, nor any intelligence in this or in the heavenly world, knoweth who the Son is but the Father. It takes an Infinite Being to comprehend an Infinite Being. 3. Christ alone knows God in perfection — "No man knoweth who the Father is but the Son." What an awful sense of loneliness — a loneliness which is unutterable — would be involved in our idea of God, unless we had some light given to us by Jesus Christ, concerning His relation to the Father. 4. Jesus Christ is and can alone be the Revealer of God to us — "And he to whom the Son will reveal Him." (1) (2) (W. Dorling.) |