Tuesday, November 13, 2007

A Kingdom Hidden and Revealed

At that time Jesus answered and said, "I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight. (Matthew 11:25-26)
Jesus prayed to His Father, the Lord of heaven and earth (who is also the Lord of heaven on earth). It is prayer of thanksgiving that God has revealed to babes things He has hidden from those who are wise and learned in this world. There is a wisdom that is of the world, but it is not like the wisdom of heaven.
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.

But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. (James 3:13-18)
The wisdom that is from above is the wisdom of Heaven on Earth and reveals the righteousness and peace of the Father’s kingdom. God does not withhold it; He is willing to share it with all who are willing to receive it. But the world has received an earthbound wisdom that is limited to the senses, demonic in nature, and brings forth evil and confusion. Therefore the wise of this world are unable to embrace the wisdom that is from above. So God reveals it to the babes, the simple, the weak — those whom the world considers foolish.
Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence. But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God. (1 Corinthians 1:25-30)
Jesus is the wisdom from above, the wisdom God greatly desires for us to have. He bypasses the wisdom of the world and reveals the Father to all who receive Him.
All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him. (Matthew 11:27-28)
The wisdom of Heaven on Earth is the revelation of the Father in Jesus Christ the Son. And now Jesus gives the invitation to receive this revelation, and know the rest it brings.
Come to Me, all you 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 11:29-30)
To take His yoke means that we must set aside all other yokes. To learn of Him means that we must set aside the wisdom of the world, and our own understanding, and trust in Him. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths’ (Proverbs 3:5-6).

The kingdom of Heaven on Earth is revealed to those who are willing to receive its king, Jesus Christ, who is made for us the wisdom of God.



The Kingdom of Heaven on Earth

The Kingdom of Heaven on Earth
Keys to the Kingdom of God
in the Gospel of Matthew

by Jeff Doles

Preview with Amazon’s “Look Inside.”

Available in paperback and Kindle (Amazon), epub (Google and iTunes) and PDF.

1 comment:

  1. That is awesome! Thank you Jesus, and thank you Jeff for the teaching.I've known for quite some time of the gift of salvation. And that's a great thing. I've only recently however have had my eyes opened to the gift of my inheritance in the Blessing of Abraham. Wow am I excited.
    MarkDennis

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