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The Joy of Revelation Received

Luke 10:21-22
At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, ‘I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do. ‘All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and no one knows who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.’ (NIVUK)

Jesus was more than happy, and with the Holy Spirit, praised Father God for this first extended co-working with an extended group of disciples.  Jesus had recently sent out the Twelve (Luke 9:1-6), and then 72 more (Luke 10:1-20), who had all believed in Him.  They accepted His commission to proclaim God's kingdom and returned with evidence that God had worked powerfully through what they said.  This was the beginning of the 'first-fruit' of the gospel (which would be sealed at Pentecost).  The Holy Spirit affirmed the joy of the Godhead, for the disciples had practised the model upon which the church's mission to the world would operate.

It is all about God revealing Himself to believers and communicating what He has said to others.  The gospel is not a man-made philosophy; it is a God-inspired and God-transmitted revelation of Himself through Jesus Christ (Galatians 1:11-12).  The Lord had not chosen to reveal the access point to His kingdom through university academics, political power-brokers or military commanders; instead He chose uneducated men who believed the truth (Acts 4:13).  What God the Father revealed through Jesus was unimaginable for even the cleverest of people (1 Corinthians 2:7-10).

The only pivot of truth for human beings is Jesus.  Only He can reveal the nature of God, for He is God (John 1:1-3).  He is the only person who has come from God and is the only Way to God (John 14:6).  Without Jesus’ revelation of Father God, we cannot know Him or form any relationship with Him (Colossians 1:19-20).

That is still the purpose of the church (the people of God).  Primarily we are on earth to proclaim that Jesus Christ is the only way to God.  As the sin-bearer, He has the right to remove the spiritual blindfold caused by sin and let us into His kingdom.  As Jesus proved, that insight does not depend on human ability or scholarship; nor does it depend on 'spiritual powers' but upon the willingness to receive and obey the Word of God (Luke 11:28) - which is often easier for the unschooled and despised in society than for those who think that they are clever.  Accepting God's revelation requires humility and a hunger for truth, whereas power and fame often seduce people into thinking that their thoughts are higher than God's.

Prayer 
Dear Lord God. Thank You for not hiding Yourself from the world. I am so glad that You revealed Yourself to me, and I am grateful for those who alerted me to Your Good News. Please forgive me for saddening You when I fail to be a proper witness to Your grace, or when I ignore the world's need of a Saviour. Please help me to work with You today so that the seed of Your Word may find good places to grow in the hearts of those I know. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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© Dr Paul Adams