Luke 10:21 (ESV) In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.
Jesus was full of joy at the report of these 72 disciples and He rejoiced in the Spirit. He thanked God for revealing hidden truths to these disciples. He referred to these disciples as little children, not the wise with great understanding. God’s revelation is given to those who don’t think they know it all. God’s revelation is given to those who want to learn new things. God’s revelation is given to those who seek to follow Jesus and do the things that He did.
Luke 10:22 (ESV) All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, or who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”
Jesus then begins to speak of His relationship with God, the Father. He knows and has been given all things, all power, all authority. Jesus reveals who the Father is to all those who follow Him in obedience. Jesus was speaking of revealing the Father to His disciples, then and now.
Luke 10:23-24 (ESV) Then turning to the disciples he said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see! For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.”
The Old Testament prophets and kings were waiting for a Messiah who would do miraculous things. They were waiting for a Messiah who would teach them about God, the creator of all. Yet, they only had glimpses of what that would be like. Finally, for these 72 disciples, Jesus had revealed hidden things that had never been seen before.
There was no casting out of demons in the Old Testament, although demons were all around. But these disciples had been blessed to be alive when the kingdom of God was near through the ministry of Jesus. And we are blessed to be alive in the time after Jesus’ resurrection when He is still pouring out the power of the Holy Spirit. God is still revealing hidden things to His children and we are blessed by it.
So, let’s think a little more deeply about Jesus’ teaching that God reveals hidden things to little children. Jesus said elsewhere that unless receives the kingdom of God like a child, he cannot enter it. How can we become like children to see the hidden things of the kingdom? Children are eager learners, they don’t think they know it all. Children love to try new things, they are not stuck in their ways. Children by nature follow and imitate their parents. They don’t seem to care what people think of them. Little children tend to not be prideful, but humble and receptive.
God desires to reveal hidden secrets of His kingdom power to those who have the openness of a child. God desires to reveal hidden secrets to those who seek God’s revelation. Who seek to tell others that Jesus is the only way. Who seek to discern and destroy Satan’s power in people’s lives. Who seek to be a worker in God’s harvest field. God reveals hidden things to His children.
Jesus is the only way to God, that is a profound and essential truth. Jesus is who He says He is, not what someone would like Him to be. Many people do not know who Jesus really is. God desires to use you to tell people who Jesus is.
Jesus came to set people free from Satan’s power. And He’s given us His authority over Satan’s demons, let’s use it. Perhaps thinking about doing what Jesus did sounds a little crazy to you. Let’s become like little children who love to do new things. God reveals hidden secrets to those who follow Him like children. Those secrets will bless your life and the lives of those around you.