Tuesday of the 1st Week of Advent. Bible Study: Isaiah 11:1-10, Psalm 72:1-17 and Luke 10:21-24
“I thank thee, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to babes; yea, Father, for such was thy gracious will.” (Luke 10:21)
In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus blessed God for hiding certain things from the wise and revealing them to mere infants. Who are these infants Jesus was referring to? He was referring to His disciples who had just returned from the mission of preaching to the towns and villages and healing their diseases. Having sent them two by two, they came back with joy saying that even the demons are subject to them. That was when Jesus blessed God on their behalf.
So, if Jesus was referring to the disciples as infants, who then are the wise, from whom the hidden mysteries of God were hidden? These are those who either do not know God or behave as though God does not exist. The wise are those so full of themselves that they feel they have no need for God. Once, Jesus healed the servant of a Centurion who did not consider himself worthy to have Jesus come under his roof. (Matthew 8:8ff). This is an example of the kind of humility God requires of us.
In the course of this season of Advent, one question we must continuously ask ourselves is: “How willing am I to humble myself and come to terms with my nothingness?” Dear friends, it was out of humility that God decided to leave his glory behind and come to the earth to be born as a child.
If God could “forget” His greatness for my sake, why can’t I learn to bring myself down, why can’t I humble myself as a child in my dealings with others? Pride is really a blinding sickness. Not only does it make you blind to the greatness of God, pride makes you believe you are God.
The prophet Isaiah in today’s first reading speaks of the time that shall come when the wolf shall dwell with the Lamb, and the Leopard shall lie down with the kid, and the calf and the lion and the fatling together and a little child shall lead them. What does Isaiah mean by a little child assuming leadership of an unthinkable combination of animals who we know are natural enemies? For me, the little child here refers to the humble person. Humility gives you access to really high places!
Let us pray: Lord Jesus, help me humble myself. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you.