Word for Wednesday
In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank Thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that Thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in Thy sight. Luke 10:21
One of my aunts posted a picture on Facebook of one of her granddaughters receiving her high honours certificate from a prominent university. I remember meeting that young woman some years ago, when she was at our family picnic. At that time, she was a very pretty, very bright, and charming teenager, a delight to chat with. In the picture my aunt posted, she has become even more beautiful, and is obviously a brilliant young woman.With the picture, my aunt posted these words,’Very proud of her’. And well she should be! Those of us who are grandparents often know the thrill of seeing our grandchildren excel and achieve, although few will exceed Sheena’s high honours. And of course it is very thrilling for parents of achieving children, as well. Our text indicates our Heavenly Father also takes delight in what His children learn.
The Lord Jesus was known as a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief (Isaiah 53:3) and we seldom read of Him rejoicing. But in our text, His spirit rejoices and he breaks into a prayer of thanksgiving as He considers His followers and what they have learned. He has just told them that they have something far greater than power over the demons; they have the knowledge that their names are written in Heaven. And that is a knowledge that went far beyond the knowledge of the scribes and doctors of the law in the temple. It is an achievement that most in our world today have never reached, and never will. Some will achieve much. For example, I have no idea what my bright young cousin will achieve, although she certainly has the ability and opportunity to go far. But this world’s knowledge and wisdom can provide for achievements only in this world. Compared to eternity, our time in this world is brief, miniscule, and what we might achieve here is of very little consequence compared to what we achieve for eternity. That is not to downplay achievements here, because many are certainly praiseworthy, but we need to place them in perspective. Because eternity is coming.
If the Lord Jesus could rejoice at those of His followers who had learned that their names were written in Heaven, we must rejoice today that we have learned the same. God has revealed to us that which is hidden from so many. Those in the religious world are never sure that they have fulfilled enough religious obligations. Consider the followers of the cults that rush from door to door with their damnable heresies, never sure that they have achieved all that their false doctrine demands. But to those of us who have believed the Gospel, we do not look at our abilities or our achievements at all. No, we rest in the full assurance that the writing of our names in Heaven was not on the basis of our work or our worth but on the work and worth of our Saviour.
In our text, the Lord Jesus identifies us as babes. As far as the world is concerned, we may know little. But this we know, and this we appreciate, our names are written in Heaven. -Jim MacIntosh