The Joy of Childlike Faith: Reflecting on Luke 10:21-24
Today's gospel reading presents us with a rare and beautiful glimpse into the heart of Jesus. Luke tells us that Jesus was filled with joy through the Holy Spirit as He offered a prayer of thanksgiving to His Father. In this moment of divine intimacy, we witness the Son communing with the Father, and we're invited to listen in.
Hidden from the Wise, Revealed to Children
Jesus prays, "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." At first, this statement might seem puzzling. Doesn't God want us to be wise? Doesn't Scripture encourage us to seek understanding?
The wisdom Jesus speaks of here is not genuine wisdom, but rather the false wisdom of those who rely solely on their own intellect and understanding. It's the wisdom of the self-sufficient, those who believe they have no need for God. The religious leaders of Jesus' time possessed extensive knowledge of Scripture, yet they missed the Messiah standing right before them. Their learning had become a barrier rather than a bridge to truth.
In contrast, the "little children" Jesus refers to are those who approach God with humility, openness, and dependence. Like children who trust their parents completely, they recognize their need for a Savior. They don't come to God with pride in their achievements or credentials, but with empty hands and open hearts.
The Privilege of Seeing
Jesus then turns to His disciples and tells them privately, "Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. For I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it."
This is a stunning declaration. The disciples were ordinary people—fishermen, tax collectors, common folk. Yet they were witnessing something that the greatest figures of Israel's history had longed to see: the Messiah, God made flesh, walking among them. What privilege! What blessing!
What This Means for Us
As we journey through Advent, preparing our hearts for Christmas, this gospel reading calls us to examine our approach to God. Do we come to Him with the humility of a child, or with the pride of those who think they have it all figured out?
The mysteries of God's kingdom are not unlocked by intellectual prowess alone, but by faith, humility, and openness to divine revelation. God reveals Himself not to those who think they're wise enough to understand Him on their own terms, but to those who acknowledge their need for Him.
We, too, are privileged witnesses. We see what the prophets longed to see. We know that the Messiah has come. We have access to the full revelation of God through Jesus Christ. The question is: will we receive it with the wonder and trust of a child?
This Advent, may we approach the manger with childlike faith, recognizing that the greatest truths of the universe are found not in our own wisdom, but in humble dependence on the God who reveals Himself to those with open hearts.