“…these [hidden] things…”

This is an amazing prayer. Jesus addresses “the Father”, the “Lord of heaven and earth”. He is in total agreement with that Father.

What are “these things” which the Father (and Jesus) had hidden “from the wise and educated” and now shown “to little children”? And “these things” – are they, today, hidden by the Father from us? 

After his prayer to his Father, Jesus speaks to others openly about himself as “the Son”. He is talking about himself as being the Son of the “Lord of heaven and earth”, the Son of “the Father”.

Who, on earth, then, is this man? Is he merely a good man? If he is only a good man, he must (given the above) be a liar and not a good man. 

He tells those listening to him that his Father has “given all things” to him. That means that the “Lord of heaven and earth” has given to him not only “heaven and earth” but also all its people. The Father thoroughly knows his Son – knows that he is worthy to be entrusted with “all things”. No one else knows the Son. Those who see only the Son’s outward conduct know very little about him.

 

Jesus states unequivocally that it is he alone - the Son – who will choose, as he may decide, those people to whom he may reveal the Father. That revelation of the Father is only possible through him, the Son. “The only ones who know the Father are the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to make him known.” 

In Jesus’ prayer (see the beginning of this Info), the Son was praising “the Father” for showing to “little children” “these [hidden] things” and hiding them from “the wise and educated”.

Again, one wonders, what are “these [hidden] things” which the Father (and Jesus) had hidden “from the wise and educated” and had at that time shown “to little children”? And “these things” – are they, today, still hidden? If so, a religious leader, church-goer, guru or person-of-faith will not be able to make these things known. Even a church – even religion - will completely fail in that task. Only the Son may “choose” to do that.

 

Some human beings, as Jesus sees them, are “tired and carrying heavy loads”. The wise and educated see them as being the victims of economic, social and religious oppression. They have no contentment or security. They may well be victims of the actions of others. They may also be the victims of their own actions. Judgment of all those involved can wait. It will come.

Despite all, his primary concern is towards those who are “tired and carrying heavy-loads”. “Come to me. I will give you rest.” Does he intend to show them “these [hidden] things”?

 

Jesus is able to offer rest to the whole world, to every man, woman and child. “Come to me and become my servants and learn from me. I am gentle and free of pride. You will find rest for your souls. Serving me is easy, and my load is light.” 

Many in the world suffer from its tyrannies and succumb to its neuroses. The Father, Lord of heaven and earth, wants these things to remain hidden from the wise and educated (even those in church) but to be made abundantly clear to tired and burdened little ones – to those who come to the Son.

So, it follows that exactly that is what is now actually taking place. It will continue to take place - for the time being. Praise him!