Hidden things Revealed

The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.”
He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
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.
“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.”
Then he turned to his disciples and said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. 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 10:17-24

What a thrilling victory the seventy-two had in their mission to preach and heal throughout the cities as forerunners of the King. He was going to Jerusalem to fulfill His destiny. He would pass through these cities and now there would be people along the route, prepared to receive Him and to tell others about His Kingdom. His men were SO excited about being in authority over demons. Jesus was happy for them, too, in their sense of accomplishment, but the real rejoicing should be over their eternal salvation. That was the whole reason for His incarnation: providing the way for mankind to have eternal life. And that was their job: make that issue clear to whoever will listen. Religion is not the way. Jesus is the Way.

In a moment of spiritual joy for His men and His approaching climactic event, Jesus praised the Father for bestowing understanding of His person and work to common people, even children, rather than the "wise and learned." Just because it is God's pleasure to do so. Look around. The "wise and learned" (arrogant intellectuals) are still clueless when it comes to the things of God. They worship at the shrine of humanism. They judge morality on the basis of human viewpoint, rather than God's divine standards. The religions they practice are legalistic or pagan. They even presume to reference the name of Jesus as they judge people and circumstances about which they know nothing. Only the Father really knows the Son. Only the Son really knows the Father, and those to whom the Son reveals Him.

These men with Jesus had been given knowledge and authority that prophets of old could only anticipate afar off, and kings heard about but couldn't really comprehend. Jesus' apostles and we, Church, have knowledge of the mysteries of the Kingdom of God; understanding of the doctrines of the Church Age which gives us confidence to face the future with complete trust in the One who holds the future. Our faith is in Him Who executed the requirement for our salvation. We are saved and sealed by the Holy Spirit of God, Who also has given us the capacity to know these things.