The Mysteries Of The Gospel Hid From Many

Adapted From A Sermon

By John Newton

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)

This morning we take up once more Matthew 11:25, under a title that still names the text well: The Mysteries of the Gospel Hid from Many. “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.’” This verse is not first a rebuke. It is the Lord’s thanksgiving. He praises the Father that the gospel is given, not grasped; hid from the self-wise, and shown to little children. Following John Newton’s counsel on this text, let us hear as those who need mercy.

When our Lord appeared on earth, though he came on the most kind and important work, showed complete holiness in his conduct, and did many acts of kindness and love, he met with little respect. He found many enemies, but few true friends. Especially those who were most well known for wealth, learning, power, or a reputation for goodness looked down on him. And most of those who followed him were either people in poor circumstances, or people whose reputation had been bad. Tax collectors and sinners, fishermen, uneducated and unknown people, were almost the only friends he had.

The Lord Jesus, who was far above the selfish thoughts which are too ready to shape our small minds, was fully content with this. He did not desire honour from men. The souls of the poor were precious in his sight. (Psalm 62:13, 14) He spoke kindly to those whom men hated. And if he mourned over the stubbornness of the leaders of the people, it was for their own sakes. Yet when he considered the plan and will of God in this arrangement, he was not only content, but he rejoiced. He showed his approval in these words: "I thank you, O Father..."

There is something we can notice in this passage which will be useful and meaningful, so long as the gospel will be preached. For as it was then, so it is still. The things that are hidden from the wise and prudent are revealed to infants. Five points come from the words which we will consider in this and the following sermons by Newton:

I. What may be meant by these things?

II. Where and in what sense are they hidden?

III. From whom? The wise and prudent.

IV. How is the knowledge of them to be obtained? By revelation: You have revealed.

V. Who are thus favored? Little children.

I. By the things which it pleases God to hide from the wise, and to reveal to little children, we may understand,

1. In general, the things that belong to salvation. That most men are ignorant of them, and careless about them, is too clear. Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks, and the tree is known by its fruits. Men speak as though their tongues were their own. They act as though they were to give no account. They live as though they were to live here for ever. The way of truth is hidden from their eyes, and the fear of God has no place in their hearts.

2. More particularly, those teachings which belong in a special way only to the gospel seem here to be meant. If the principles of what some call natural religion, though they agree with the light of natural conscience, are given little attention, the more spiritual truths of the Bible are not only neglected but scorned and opposed. The same spirit which showed itself during our Lord's time on earth still remains. The main teachings he taught, and for which he met with the strongest opposition, were exactly the same as those which have stirred the scorn and anger of the world ever since, and which many who bear the name of christians in this day oppose with all their strength. Such as,

1st, The divinity of Christ. When he spoke of himself as existing before Abraham, and said that God was his own Father, the Jews took up stones to stone him. And this mystery is still hidden from the natural man. No one can say, acknowledge, and believe that Jesus Christ is Lord or Jehovah; that he who once hung upon the cross, bleeding to death, is God the maker of all things, the rightful object of the supreme love, trust, and honor of men and angels, but by the Holy Spirit. (1 Cor. 12:3)

2dly, Distinguishing grace. When Jesus first preached at Nazareth, the eyes of all were fixed upon him; (Luke 4:16, 20) but when, applying it to themselves, he spoke about this point, from the examples of Naaman the Syrian, and the widow of Zarephath, who were healed when many lepers and widows in Israel were passed by; they were filled with anger, and would have thrown him down the rock. And it is to this day an offensive teaching to all who do not know the value and the need of it.

3dly, The new birth. When this was proposed to a teacher in Israel, he cried out, "How can these things be?" (John 3:9) And by many who are wise and prudent in their own sight, it is at this day treated as nonsense. A little familiarity with the usual tone of what is published either from the pulpit or the press may prove that modern teaching about God has, for the most part, found an easier path than that by which Nicodemus was led to the knowledge of himself and his Saviour. Such a doubtful inquirer might now be given many clever talks on the beauty of virtue, the power of kindness, the excellence of the human mind, and other favourite topics. He would find teachers enough to encourage and strengthen the idea he has of his own importance, but he would hardly meet with any who would speak to him in our Lord's language, and point him to the bronze serpent, and a new birth, in order to learn the means and the nature of the gospel salvation.

4thly, The nature of the life of faith. When our Lord spoke of this, using the image of eating his flesh and drinking his blood, many who until then had claimed to be his disciples, "turned back and no longer walked with him." (John 6:66) And none can endure it now who are not taught of God, to see such excellence and sufficiency in Jesus, and such emptiness in themselves, as compels them to cry out with Peter, "Lord, to whom shall we go?" (John 6:68) These things are hidden from the wise and prudent. But,

II. Where, and in what sense are these things hidden?

1. Where are they hidden?

1st, They are hidden in Christ. In him "are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." (Col. 2:3) He is the great storehouse of truth. "In him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwelll." (Col. 1:19) And he is the messenger by whom the will of God is made known to man. (Luke 9:35; John 1:18) From this take note,

i. You can attain to no saving truth, but in and by the knowledge of Jesus Christ. If they are hidden in him, it can be but wasted work to seek them elsewhere.

ii. Whatever seeming knowledge you have, if it does not make you love him, it is worth nothing. It is knowledge falsely so called, and can do you no good; for in the knowledge of him, and of him alone, is eternal life. (John 17:3)

2dly, They are hidden in the word of God.

i. They are contained there. " All Scripture is breathed out by God," and is able "to make you wise for salvation" (2 Tim. 3:16, 15) to furnish us with a sufficiency of knowledge and motives for every good work. The word of God is perfect.

ii. Yet though contained there, they are not plain to every eye. Though they are revealed in the letter, they are still hidden from the wise and prudent. Something more is necessary than merely to read, in order to understand them; otherwise all who can read, and have the Bible, would be equally enlightened with equal effort. But experience shows it is far from the case. This leads to the next question,

2. In what sense they are hidden?

1st, They are not hidden as if it were on purpose that those who sincerely seek them should be disappointed in their search. Far be it from us to think so harshly of the Lord. We have clear promises to the contrary, that all who earnestly seek shall find. Do not fear, you that sincerely desire a lived and practical knowledge of the truths of God, and are willing to be taught in his appointed way: though many things may appear difficult to you now, the Lord will gradually increase your light, and reward your efforts.

2dly, But from some persons they are hidden, even from the wise and prudent, whom we are to consider later. Consider a familiar illustration of the Lord's wisdom and justice in this way of acting. Suppose a man has a fine cabinet, which he opens whenever he chooses, and which is not exposed to common view: he invites all to come and see it, and offers to show it to any one who asks him. It is hidden, because he keeps the key; but no one can complain, because he is ready to open it whenever he is asked.

Some, perhaps, despise the offer, and say, Why is it locked at all? Some think it not worth seeing, or occupy themselves with guessing at the contents. But those who simply want it for themselves leave others disputing, go as they were directed, and receive what they asked for. These have reason to be thankful for the favour; and the others have no just cause to find fault. Thus the riches of divine grace may be compared to a richly furnished cabinet, to which Christ is the door.

The word of God likewise is a cabinet generally locked up; but the key of prayer will open it. The Lord invites all; but he keeps the giving of it in his own hand. They cannot see these things unless he shows them; but then he refuses none that sincerely ask him. The wise men of the world can go no farther than the outside of this cabinet; they may occupy themselves and surprise others with their clever guesses at what is within: but a little child that has seen it opened can tell us more, without studying or guessing at all.

If men will presume to aim at the knowledge of God, without the knowledge of Christ, who is the way and the door; if they have such a high opinion of their own wisdom and insight as to suppose they can understand the scriptures without the assistance of his Spirit; or if their worldly wisdom teaches them that these things are not worth their attention; what wonder is it that they should continue to be hidden from their eyes? They will one day be stripped of all their false pleas, and condemned out of their own mouths.

3dly, the expression, "You have hidden," may perhaps further mean that those who look for a chance to find fault will find something that confirms their prejudices. When people look at the teachings or the profession of the gospel, not with an honest desire to learn, follow, and practice, but in order to find some believable ground for twisting the truth, they often get what they want. The wisdom of God has decided that difficulties, offenses, objections, and stumbling blocks should be present, to test and show the hearts of these wise ones.

How easily they focus on the divisions and differences of views that too often exist among those who are united in the same main truths. If they can find one case of error, folly, or wickedness in a single person who claims to hold to the gospel teaching, how they rejoice as if they had found a great prize. They charge the faults of a few on everyone without distinction, and work to show that every mistake and slip is a necessary result of the principles held by those who commit it.

This is not to excuse mistakes and errors of any kind, for weakness in judgment, or inconsistency in practice. But as these things are more or less bound up with the present state of human nature, they necessarily increase and strengthen the prejudices of scorners against the truth, and in that way they help hide it from their eyes.

Yet here again the fault is wholly in themselves, for they look for and want such occasions of stumbling, and they would be disappointed and grieved if they could not find them. But those who are like little children in their own eyes, humble, sincere, and teachable, are brought safely through by a simple dependent spirit, and they grow wiser every day by watching what happens around them.

Many conclusions and advice might be drawn from what has been said. We will conisder three.

1. Examine yourselves what understanding and experience you have of the things mentioned under the first heading: What was meant by these things.

So much as you know of these, so far you are Christians, and no further. An appearance of godliness without the power, (2 Timothy 3:5) is one of the worst characters of the worst times. Yet how common it is today. How many who choose to be called Christians reject the testimony which God has given of his Son, deny the power of his grace, speak of the new birth with disdain, as something they cannot understand and do not need, and treat all that can be said of the life of faith (though founded upon clear scripture, and confirmed by many witnesses) as no better than wild religious talk.

But if you think this way, however sober your behavior, or how kind you claim to be, though you may be praised as a pattern of generosity, a philosopher, or a saint, by your friends and neighbors, if the scriptures are true, you can be nothing more than empty noise in the sight of God. You would have despised Thomas in your heart, if you had been there when he worshipped Jesus with joy and cried, "My Lord, and my God!" (John 20:28) You would have despised Paul as a confused fanatic, if you had heard him say, "the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me," (Galatians 2:20) Indeed, you must have despised Jesus himself, if you had been present at his conversation with Nicodemus.

Our Lord Jesus is now in heaven. Thomas and Paul have long been dead. You cannot reach them. They do not stand in your way. Therefore, perhaps you are content to speak well of them in general terms. But those who come nearest to their language and spirit are the objects of your scorn and hatred. How then can you pretend to love him, or assume that he loves you? Jesus is worshipped in heaven. How then can you expect to come there? Or what pleasure could you find there in your present way of thinking? Honor the Son, so that he will not be angry and you perish, for in a little time his wrath will burn like fire.

But to everyone who understands, embraces, and lives under the influence of these truths, may be safely applied our Lord's words, "Blessed are you," (Matthew 16:17) however despised by men, or disciplined by the Lord. For "flesh and blood has not revealed this to you;" you have certainly received them from God by his Spirit. He alone is able to cause the light to shine into our dark hearts, "to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." (2 Corinthians 4:6)

2. Do not entertain hard and perplexing thoughts about the purposes of God, either about others or about yourselves.

First, with regard to others. It is a common difficulty, either put in the path of those who are seeking the truth by the cunning of Satan, or perhaps arising from the natural pride of the human heart, that wants to be thought able to explain everything. When they begin to grasp the gospel way of salvation, this confusing question arises. If things are so, what will become of multitudes? What! Are all the pagans, Muslims, Roman Catholics, and even all the Protestants, except the few who hold these unusual views, to be lost?

We will not try to defeat this objection by force of argument, but rather turn our reasoning another way. When the same question, in substance, was put to our Lord, his answer to those who asked him was, "Strive (each one for yourselves) to enter through the narrow door," Luke 13:23, 24. Take care of yourselves, and leave the cases of others to the Lord. Remember he is God, and therefore just and good.

Second, with regard to yourselves. Secret things belong to God. Your business is with what is revealed. Some push the word of salvation away from themselves in a stubborn way, and think, if the Lord intends me for eternal life, he will call me in his own time. Until then I will go on in my sins. Those who can reason this way, and take that as a reason to keep on in wickedness, from the thought of the power and effectiveness of God's grace, by this they show themselves to be Satan's willing servants.

But he frightens many on whom he cannot succeed in this way, by telling them that, let them do what they will, it is all in vain. Unless the Lord has chosen them, despite any good beginnings they may hope he has worked in them, they will come to nothing at last.

It is your business to give all diligence to make your calling sure. If, by a humble waiting upon God, you are enabled to live your life according to the gospel, do not listen to empty and confusing reasonings, but commit yourself to the mercy and guidance of the Lord. And he, in his good time, will enable you to see, and to say, that it is not in vain to trust in him. Your path will be like the growing light, that shines more and more until the full day. The Lord has already provided all that you can reasonably desire.

i. The means are pointed out, in the use of which you are to be found, and wherein you may expect his blessing. These are mainly secret prayer, the study of his written word, attending the preaching of the gospel, and free conversation (as proper opportunities are given) with his believing people. If you continue in the practice of these, and act faithfully to the light you have already received, by breaking off from the evil practices of the world, and watching against those things which you yourselves know to be evil, you will certainly gain ground in light, strength, and comfort. You will see more and more of the glory of the Lord in the mirror of the gospel. And in proportion to your views, you will be "transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another."( 2 Corinthians 3:18) For,

ii. The promise is sure. What God has said you may certainly depend on. And what has he said? What, indeed, has he not said for the encouragement of those who sincerely desire to seek and serve him? Those who seek shall find. (Matthew 7:7, 8) "He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength." (Isaiah 40:29) "They who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength." (Isaiah 40:31) "I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground." (Isaiah 44:3)

If, therefore, you feel yourself a lost sinner, see beauty in Jesus and that he is enough, have a hunger and thirst after his righteousness, and are made willing to expect the blessing in his way, you may look upon this as a sign of God's favor.

Such views and desires as these are never found in any heart until he communicates them. By nature we are opposed and set against them. Give him the glory of what he has begun, and oppose your temptations, fears, and doubts, with this argument, drawn from your own experience, as the wife of Manoah once reasoned: "If the LORD had meant to kill us, he would not have accepted a burnt offering and a grain offering at our hands, or shown us all these things, or now announced to us such things as these" (Judges 13:23)