Today’s devotional reading logs in as a pro-hyper-Calvinism
vs. Arminianism, a debate that has gone on for centuries. Theologians cannot
agree even though supporters on each side think their view is the correct view.
I prefer to read devotionally rather than gnaw away at an issue that divides
and look for something God wants me to understand and apply to my life.
For this, the last five verses in the reading did just
that. While there are differing ways to interpret these words, in their context
they speak to our human problem of not wanting to listen to God and the
eventual judgment on those who persist in exalting themselves instead of the Lord:
“At that time Jesus declared, ‘I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; 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 who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’” (Matthew 11:25–30)
God calls those who understand them “little children” and I’m
thinking why does He do that? Is it because little children know how to live in
carefree dependence? When loved and cared for by parents who are wise and kind,
these little ones are not burdened by anything too weighty for them. They know
not to pick up something too heavy or stress over things beyond their
understanding. For them, life is mostly play.
For many, we ‘out-grow’ childhood and begin to question
things, gripe about life’s perplexities and discomforts, and are never
satisfied. We get suborn about change and refuse to go back to the that
child-like faith that carries very light burdens.
This is a choice. To take the yoke with Jesus means
trusting Him as I would trust a loving parent. As a child, I never worried
about anything. I’m to live in Christ the same way. He knows all the answers
and takes care of everything. I don’t have to know or carry more than I can
handle. He carries all the burdens that are too heavy for me. Also, He can
reveal or not reveal; I don’t have to try to figure out the tough stuff with my
tiny brain. If it is for me to know, He will show me.
Not only that, I’ve learned that when God reveals a truth,
I do not need to ‘prove it’ to others, or debate it, or argue my point. I used
to think I could convince others by rhetoric, but know better, mostly because
God has shown me that my arguments are usually evidence that my source of
whatever point I’m trying to make does not come from the Spirit of God, but
from my flawed human reasoning. When God says something, I don’t have to prove it,
just quietly believe it and obey what He wants me to do.
^^^^^^^^^^
Jesus, You always declared truth without getting into any
“I touched you last” debates. You knew what was from Your Father. That was
enough for You. You lived like a child depending on his parents and carried
only the burdens You were given. In that frame of mind, You could deal with
everything that came at You, including the challenges of the Pharisees, who by
the way, never could get the best of You. You not only gave them wise and
simple answers to their ‘difficult’ questions, but also realized there is no
point in debating or that insisting other people have the same knowledge that You
have. It comes through the illumination of the Holy Spirit, and because that is
what they needed, You joyfully didn’t bother with any debates.
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