pramsay posted on July 27, 2009 14:07
Monday Meditation
July 27, 2009
From the desk of Dr. A.J. Higgins
www.heaven4sure.com
A Thankful Christ
"At that time Jesus answered and said,
'I thank Thee Father, Lord of heaven and earth,
because 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.' "
(Matthew 11:25, 26).
"At that time." When was 'that time'? The context of the chapter tells us it was when John doubted (vv 1- 15), the men of His own generation denied Him (vv 16-19), and the cities where His works had been done rejected Him. Yet He lifted His heart to His Father and gave thanks. He thanked God for the circumstances of His service and for the wisdom of God which had so planned it. He worshiped God amidst what appeared to be such limited "success" in His service.
This gives us insight into what is meant by "I am meek and lowly in heart" (v 29). He was totally content with all the Father's will, even His own rejection.
Questions to consider:
1. Think of the other occasions when the Lord Jesus gave thanks to His Father: the grave of Lazarus and in the upper room.
2. Luke's account of the same incident says that "Jesus rejoiced in spirit" (Luke 10:21). How many times does Scripture record that the Lord Jesus rejoiced? What is so significant about this occasion?
3. Meekness means to be at home in whatever the will of God is. Fast-forward to the garden scene of Gethsemane. Was there a struggle to surrender to the Father's will or was something else being revealed in the garden?