These Things

Jesus’ spontaneous, joy-induced prayer in Luke 10:21, praises the Father for hiding “these things” from the wise and revealing those same things to “little children.” “These Things” being that the source of our confident, courageous, and effective participation in God’s working (see Lk. 10:1-17), is not that we have power and authority to overcome darkness, but instead, that we loyally loved (see Lk. 10:18-20). Both are true, but only the latter is the source of joy that spills into our everyday roles and relationships.

So this week, let us pray with Jesus, and pray to him for a greater revelation of the “these things”!

We thank you mighty and merciful Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden the true source of life from those who are satisfied with power, yet revealed these things to weaned children, content in our mothers persistent affection. How gracious is your will!

Holy Spirit, fill us with truth, and gives us eyes to see the source of our joy which we are to share with spouse, neighbor, children, roommates, coworks, friends. Let us live with compassionate courage and humble confidence in joyous obedience; until all the earth knows the love that has been revealed to us in Jesus.

Amen.