Thank You Father

Thank You Father!  |  Matthew 11:25-30  |  Deacon George Miller
 
Thank you! Two simple words that carry so much impetus, (or they should). Thank You, a polite expression of Gratitude.

I was raised in a household where Thank You, along with “Please” was instilled and expected to be appropriately applied, especially prior to eating a meal (“Lord, thank you for the food that I am about to receive”), or during morning prayer and quiet time (“Thank you for waking me up this morning”) and evening prayers, (“Lord thank you for watching over me all day and keeping me safe during the night while I sleep”).

However, how often have we benefitted from an unmerited gift, act of kindness, compliment, spiritual and/or physical healing, or favor, but didn’t remember to say “Thank You”? – It’s always better late than never. Lord, for all the times you showed me favor and I didn’t tell you THANK YOU, please accept my apology and right now, Thank You for all the blessings you provided and Thank You for not holding my oversight against me, THANK YOU.

This scripture illustrates a greater (or higher) level of appreciation (Thank You) from the son to the father.  In verses 25 & 26, Jesus is giving praise and adoration to his father for empowering him to bring salvation to those willing to accept him for who he is/was. Those who believe come to God with both awe and confidence of little children. The little children reference represented the disciples and those with open minds and hearts to listen and follow.  The wise and learned was a reference to the Pharisees and religious leaders who constantly badgered Jesus and questioned his authority and authenticity.  They feared that as Jesus grew in popularity, their assumed power and authority would diminish. (Proverbs 16:18 = “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall”).

In verse #27, we see the first indication of being equally yoked, (Being equally yoked means sharing the same spiritual values). God ordained that knowledge of him would come only through his son. The spirit of God must draw us to the son, who alone can reveal the father to us. John 14:11 “Believe me when I say that I am in the father and the father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves”.  In verses 28-30, I note three important terms that should not be lost. Come, Take and Learn.

Come: Salvation is free and is open to anyone who chooses to accept the opportunity.   Jesus welcomes the weary, burdened and fatigued. No amount of hard work is ever enough to earn salvation. Come To Jesus! (John 14:6 = “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the father except through me”).

Take: Being yoked to someone requires a level of trust. Jesus is extending an invitation to us, to bring our troubles to him. Bind ourselves to him and don’t attempt to solve your life challenges alone, they are too great. When we yoke ourselves to Jesus, we will find relief.
 
Learn: I think Hymn #171, in the Baptist Hymnal provides the best response to “Learn”.  I will share two of my favorite verses now but invite you to review all the verses at your leisure. (#1) “While we walk with the Lord, in the light t of his word, what a glory he sheds on our way! While we do his good will, he abides with us still, and with all who will trust and obey. (#4) But we never can prove the delights of his love, until all on the alter we lay, for the favor he shows and the joy he bestows are for them who will trust and obey! – God Bless!!

Prayer:
Father, all that I am and ever hope to be is because of you. THANK YOU, father, for choosing me to walk with you, THANK YOU father, for forgiving all my faults and weaknesses and not showing you appreciation during my life, for the times that I should have. Now I THANK YOU father for allowing me to be yoked to you, to learn from you, to strive to be an example of you, In Jesus Name, amen.