Insightful Musings on the Scriptures
by
Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67
Passage: Matthew 11:1-30
Focus: “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.” Matthew 1:25.
The metaphor “children” is used in contrasting ways in this passage. Let’s review 11:16 where Jesus says, “To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others: ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’”
Compare that description with the focus verse of 11:25: “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.”
Here’s how I’m processing the comparison: The children of 11:16 are actually the “wise and learned” of 11:25…who are really no more than arrogant “dumb kids” insofar as their grasp of Truth is concerned. And the children of 11:25 are actually the humble seekers of God (children of God) for whom the children of 11:16 are playing and singing and trying to influence…getting quite upset that these “Christians” are not conforming to their world by the standard of their “wise and learned.”
Do you think this might have some current-day significance?