”At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “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. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do. 22 “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and no one knows who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.” 23 Then he turned to his disciples and said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. 24 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.” Luke 10.21-23
In this passage, Jesus is joyful. He is “full of joy through the Holy Spirit.” He is confident in what he is saying, perfectly content in his assignment from the Father, and fully satisfied with his role in life. This is an up-beat Jesus, speaking positive words in prayer to God and to his disciples.
His prayer is recorded in v.21-22, praising the Father and calling him the “Lord of heaven and earth,” thanking him for hiding wisdom from the wise but revealing it to children. He affirms that this was pleasing to God.” He then talks about how “all things” have been “committed” to him by the Father. And that “no one knows the Son except the Father,” and “no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”
These are startling revelations! Everything Jesus does is given to him by God the Father. The Son is known by no one except the Father and those the Son has allowed to know God through divine revelation. Meaning Jesus is the gatekeeper for ultimately knowing God. No one can known God except for those Jesus allows and who know Jesus first.
The gift of seeing and knowing Jesus is given those whom the Son chooses. And whereas this might sound like it’s only up to God, its also up to us to choose Him in return. Perhaps if we choose him, then we will realize that he has already chosen us.
Twenty two years ago this summer I “chose” my wife Lane in marriage. We had dated for three years and it was time to make that commitment. But the other side of the coin is that she also chose me. I could not have chosen her had she not chosen me. In the same way, God chooses you but wants you also to choose him. He wants to open up a world of hope, love, grace and forgiveness to all who choose to follow Jesus.
Will you choose Jesus today? Will you give him your love? Will you commit your heart to his ways? Why not allow him to live in you and give you life today and life to come.
“O Lord God, you are good. I choose you. I thank you for loving me and for allowing me to walk in your ways. I am your servant, humbling seeking to live in holiness and according to your will. Come now, Holy Spirit, reveal your ways to me. Help me seek and understand your path so I might share your Gospel and experience your grace. For you are good and your love endures forever.” Amen