Jesus had been run out of His hometown Nazareth and He was moving on to Capernaum and the smaller cities like Chorazin and Bethsaida. He was rejected even though He had done some miraculous things. He was rejected because of the prevailing view of religion and God in their society.

Jesus was actually talking to people who were carrying a terrible religious burden. I think that is what religion does to you. It wears us out. What we need to learn is how to lay down the burdens of religion in a loving and intelligent way.

At that time Jesus declared, “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 – Matthew 11:25  ESV

It would seem that the “wise and understanding” were the Pharisees and the “little children” were the disciples. The Pharisees because of their conceit and seeking others praise rather than truth, were shut out from a relationship with God. The disciples received the kingdom of God like children, or child-like, who being earnest and simple-hearted. So much so that new truths were disclosed and old truths were seen with clarity.

Luke 10 shares the same story to Matthew 11.

“Father, I thank thee for hiding these things from some and revealing them to others. This is good and right. And I thank you for the special relationship that we enjoy. Thank you for the authority given to me to reveal you to those whom I have chosen.” – Luke 10:21  ESV

There was a lot of joy in seeing victory over Satan’s demons and miracles that were performed. Jesus did not pay attention to the miracles so much – instead He uttered this prayer just like Matthew had recorded it.

What was important is that those who follow Jesus know the truth. If I ever fail to see it, I know that I need to repent of thinking that I am all that. When I repent and come back to Jesus, just as I am, He reveals Himself to me in special ways and I walk once again in truth. Truth of a gentle relationship, where I rest in Him.