Hidden Gospel (Part 2)

By Clifton Angel     "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" (Matt 11:25; Luke 10:21). Again, this is a public prayer of Jesus on at least two occasions. At the heart of these contexts was the good news that Jesus was the Messiah—the world's only Savior. Last week, we noted how God’s message was hidden from some who were blinded by their own pride. Now, let us consider those to whom it was revealed.     “Thou...hast revealed them unto babes.” Those who received God's revelation were not literal infants. Rather, they were lower on the "totem pole" of society in Jesus' day. Who were these "babes" who were recipients of the revelation of the gospel?     Peter, Andrew, James, and John were commercial fishermen. Such a tasking position made them "infants" in the eyes of the Jewish elite. Example: Peter and John were "perceived" to be "unlearned and ignorant men" by the Jewish rulers, elders, scribes, and priests (Acts 4:1–13).     Matthew, also bearing the name Levi, was a tax collector. In the United States, we know tax collectors as the IRS. While tax collection has always caused animosity from many of those being taxed, Matthew's position brought far greater hostility. In the eyes of the Jews, he was a traitor and a sinner. He was taking money from God’s people and giving it to an ungodly tyranny. Tax collectors were often grouped with prostitutes, indicating their moral destitution in the eyes of the Jews. Luke tells us that when Matthew began to follow Jesus, he made a great feast for Jesus, his disciples, and other tax collectors. The scribes and Pharisees "murmured" at Jesus' disciples, asking, "Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?" (Luke 5:27–30).     As we previously cited, "The contrast between the wise and intelligent and infants is not really that of intelligence, but of attitude; it is the difference between those who rely on themselves and those who rely on God" (Truth For Today Commentary: Matthew 1–13, pp. 385–386). Disciples like Luke and Paul are testimonies to this fact. They were highly educated and intelligent. Luke was a physician (Col 4:14). Paul’s education has been likened to multiple doctorates in theology (Acts 22:3; Phil 3:4–7). However, their humility led to their reception of God's glorious gospel message.     Maybe you are thinking you could never be good enough to be a recipient of the saving gospel. Maybe you are thinking you have committed too many sins to be saved. Maybe you are thinking you are not smart enough to teach others God's saving message. You are precisely the person Jesus wants to save and to whom He has revealed the gospel. Will you allow us to help you follow Jesus?

- Clifton Angel preaches for the Coldwater Church of Christ in Coldwater, MS. He may be contacted through that congregation's website: http://www.coldwatercofc.com/