Understanding Hidden Things

In Luke 18:34, we encounter a poignant moment where the disciples are unable to grasp the full meaning of Jesus’ words regarding His suffering and glory. They heard His voice; they saw His face, yet the meaning was veiled from them. This lack of understanding wasn’t due to a lack of intelligence or attentiveness; it was a divine withholding for a purpose only fully known to God.

It’s comforting to realise that sometimes our understanding is intentionally limited, not due to our failure, but because God knows what we can bear at any given time. As in John 16:12, Jesus said, "I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now." The disciples' conception of a triumphant Messiah was so ingrained that the revelation of a suffering servant was beyond their current capacity to accept or understand.

The Jewish tradition spoke of two Messiahs: one who would suffer ('Messiah ben Joseph') and one who would reign triumphantly ('Messiah ben Judah'). This dual expectation mirrored the dual reality of Jesus' mission: His suffering and death and His subsequent resurrection and glory. The disciples, steeped in their cultural expectations, found it difficult to reconcile these aspects within one Messiah – Jesus.

The distortion of Scripture by satan during the temptation of Jesus (Luke 4:9-11) illustrates the peril of wrong doctrine. It's not enough to know the Word; understanding and application in the correct context are crucial. Misconceptions can blind us to the deeper truths God wishes to reveal.

The path to breaking through the veil of misunderstanding begins with humility and prayer, seeking God’s guidance to lead us into all truth (John 14:26). As we surrender our preconceived notions and open our hearts to the Holy Spirit’s teaching, the truth that was once veiled becomes clear.

God, in His wisdom, knows when to lift the veil from our eyes. The disciples' eventual understanding after Jesus' resurrection shows that God reveals His truth in His own perfect timing. It’s a pattern repeated throughout the Scriptures and our lives: revelation comes not when we demand it but when we are ready to receive it.

The central mystery that the disciples struggled to comprehend was the cross. Apostle Paul speaks of the message of the cross as "foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God" (1 Corinthians 1:18). The cross is the ultimate unveiling of God’s love and power, a truth that transforms lives and reshapes destinies.

As we grow in our faith, let us be patient with the process of understanding God’s ways. The mysteries of the kingdom are often revealed line upon line, precept upon precept. (Isaiah 28:10). In due time, what was once hidden becomes a clear path to a deeper relationship with God.

Understanding Hidden Things

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