Matthew 11:27
This verse says a whole lot about the nature of Almighty God. In order to see this, several things need to be kept in mind. First, the word ‘man’ as it appears in this verse can lead to confusion if we are not careful. Though gender-inclusive language is not always helpful or correct in many passages, the use of the word man is not terribly helpful here. The Greek here literally says: “All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no one knows the Son except the Father; neither does anyone know the Father except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son will reveal him.” Careful Greek students will point out the use of the masculine in the last phrase, but will see that it can be applied generally to all persons, male or female. This is important because, without this explanation, one might argue from this verse that God the Father and God the Son are men. Though the Son is a man, he is also %100 God in the flesh.
Secondly, it reveals something of the relationship of the Trinity. The Father knows the Son, and the Son knows the Father. Neither may be revealed without the other’s involvement. In other words, these two persons are connected in a way that no two human persons would be connected. The word for know here literally means to ‘recognize.’ Jesus is literally saying, ‘If i do not reveal the Father to you, you may never know him.’ Without the work of Christ, we human beings cannot even recognize the Almighty God of the Universe.
Third, and finally, though it seems to confuse many in this day of modern Christianity, Jesus reveals the Father to us, not the other way around. What I means is that some Christians seem to think that the Father is in Christ to the point that they can forget about the Father altogether. They make much of Jesus, yes, but only Jesus. This is dangerous simply because it is not what Jesus himself would have us to do. Pray to the Father, through Christ, in the Spirit. You can talk to Christ in prayer. I have several times. But, Jesus makes it clear that our main focus in prayer is the Father. We are to have a relationship with the Father through our relationship with Christ. The Heavenly Father is to be our primary goal. Knowing him, asking him, understanding him, that is what Jesus is all about. Jesus and the Father cannot be separated. You cannot have the one without the other. Period.
Bible Reading: Genesis 4:1-6:22
Scripture Memory: 1 John 2:14 “I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.”
Prayer: Heavenly Father, it is so wonderful to know that we may have fellowship with You and Your Son, Jesus Christ. Knowing You, recognizing You, is a beautiful and bountiful blessing. To think that we would go through life missing the very One who made us! Oh what a thought! But, in Jesus Christ we know You, the very Fountain of all things. You alone are the GOD OF ALL. You rule and reign for all time. You have no beginning, no ending, and are outside of and inside of time. You make all of our most brilliant thoughts look like a joke. You understand all of the mysteries because the mysteries are all about You. You are the GREAT GOD, the ONLY TRUE GOD, and we worship You as such. Never has there been another, and never shall there be. In Your perfect Trinity You reveal to us Your completeness. You are the GREAT I AM. None else may stand all alone such as You. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.
Prayer Requests: Pray for a church as it make some choices about future growth. Pray for a missionary in Africa.
Journal Entry #13104