Matthew 13:17

 Matthew 13:17 says, For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.  Jesus said that many prophets and righteous men had desired to hear and see what the disciples and those around them had seen, but they had not seen nor heard what they had.  Jesus was the One they had been looking for, and He is the One that we look back to.  We have not physically seen Jesus, but we see Him spiritually by faith.  Verse eighteen states, Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower.  Jesus told them to hear, or understand, the parable of the sower.  Just hearing God's word is not enough,  We must also understand what it means.  Verse nineteen says, When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.  Jesus said anyone who heard His word and did not understand it was like the seed sown by the wayside.  He also said the wicked one took them away, and Satan does take away those who do not understand the gospel.  Verse twenty states, But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;  Verse twenty-one adds, Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.  Jesus said that those that made a quick profession of faith were like the seed planted in stony ground.  They were faithful until trouble came, and then they were offended by the gospel.  Verse twenty-two says, He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.  Jesus said that those who received the gospel until the riches and cares of the world deceived them, or led them away from a complete faith in Christ were like the seed that among the thorns.  They were unfruitful.  Verse twenty-three declares, But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.  Jesus then said that those who heard and understood the word and brought forth fruit were like the seed that landed in good soil.  This would be any Christian who put complete faith in Jesus..  Notice that bringing forth fruit is part of the requirement, but the amount of fruit varies.  Verse twenty-four says, Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:  Verse twenty-five adds, But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.  In this parable, it wasn't the seed that were planted that was the issue, but the fact that an enemy came and sowed bad seed among the good.  The world today sows bad seed, or false teachings, even among the people of God.  We just have to be able to recognize it when it happens.  Verse twenty-six states, But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.  Jesus said that when the seed brought forth fruit, both the good and bad seed did so.  I believe this would refer to those who professed to believe the word of God, but added to or took away from the gospel.  Verse twenty-seven asks, So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?  The Man's servants came to him and asked if He did not sow good seed, and if He did where did the tares come from.  We can be certain that the gospel is always the good seed, but many would sow other seed amongst it.  Verse twenty-eight declares, He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?  The Man said that the enemy had done this and the servants asked if they should go and gather them up.  Verse twenty-nine states, But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.  Then verse thirty adds, Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.  The Man told the servants to let them grow, and at harvest time He would separate the tares and bind and burn them, and then He would gather the wheat into His barn.  Jesus is the Man in this parable and the gospel is the seed and those who believe in the gospel are the wheat.  Jesus said that we will grow along with the bad seed until harvest time, and then we will be separated from the bad seed or tares.  Those who truly accept Jesus as their Savior and Lord will be gathered into heaven, and those who don't will be sent way to everlasting punishment.

Matthew 13:1

 Matthew 13:1 says, The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side.  Verse two adds, And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore.  When Jesus went out by the sea, the multitudes followed Him, so He went out on a ship and they stood by the shore.  We never seem to have a problem of too many people following Jesus today, but then they were following Him for the wrong reasons.  Verse three states, And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;  Jesus spoke to them in many parables, this one speaking of a sower.  Verse four adds, And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:  Jesus said as the man sowed, some seed fell by the wayside and the fowls devoured them up.   Verse five continues, Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth:  Some seed fell on the stony grown and sprang up quickly because there was no depth to the soil.  Verse six adds, And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.  When the sun came up the plants quickly withered away.  Verse seven states, And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:  Some seed fell among the thorns and were choked off by the thorns.  Verse eight declares, But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.  Fortunately for the sower, some seed fell on good soils and brought forth fruit, though to varying degrees.  This is the way that it is with the gospel.  Some people refuse to hear.  Some hear and seemingly quickly accept but the gospel has no depth and it quickly dies out.  Others seem to accept the gospel even in life a life filled with problems, but the problems choke it out.  Then, there are those who truly allow the gospel to take root in their lives, and they bring forth fruit, though not all to the same degree. We, as followers of Christ, must be the good seed and bring forth fruit for the kingdom of God.  Verse nine states, Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.   Jesus said it was up to people to understand what was being said, since nearly all could hear the words.  It is not enough to just hear God's word.  We must understand and accept it for it to be of value to us.  Verse ten asks, And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?  The disciples asked Jesus why He spoke in parables.  Verse eleven declares, He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.  Jesus said that it was because it was given to His disciples to know the kingdom of heaven.  I don't believe that Jesus was saying that some people are deliberately denied the ability to understand the gospel, but that understanding must come by faith.  Verse twelve adds, For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.  Again, I believe that this refers to having faith in Christ and God's word.  Verse thirteen states, Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.  I believe that Jesus was saying that a person had to do more than just hear the words or even see the signs of God.  They had to look with faith through a relationship with Jesus.  Verse fourteen declares, And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:  Jesus said this also fulfilled a prophesy of Isaiah.  Verse fifteen adds, For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.  Jesus said that it was up to each individual to understand the gospel, and if they did he or she would be converted and healed.  Verse sixteen concludes, But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.  Jesus was talking to His disciples then and to all who have come since.  We are blessed when we accept the gospel of Christ and believe in Him.

Matthew 12:38

Matthew 12:38 says, Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee.  Some of the scribes and Pharisees asked Jesus for a sign that He was the Messiah.  The only sign that they would really get was the sign of the cross and empty tomb after His death, and they, like we, would have to accept Him by faith.  Verse thirty-nine declares, But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:  Jesus said an evil and perverse generation sought after a sign, and that His three days in the tomb like Jonah's three days in the belly of the whale before he was delivered to life again would be the only sign.  Verse forty adds, For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.  This is what I just stated.  We either believe this or not, but it is the only way to salvation and we will be given no other sign.  Verse forty-one continues, The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.  Jesus said the men of Nineveh would rise up in judgment against these scribes and Pharisees, because the men of Nineveh repented at the preaching of Jonah, and they did not repent at the preaching of Jesus, One Who was much greater than Jonah.  Verse forty-two says, The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.  Jesus said that they would also be judged by the queen of the south who came from the farthest reaches of the world to hear Solomon, and One much greater than Solomon was there.  We live in a time after the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, so we will be held more accountable than those who did not believe in Him before He came I believe, just as the scribes and Pharisees were in that day.  Verse forty-three declares, When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.  Verse forty-four adds, Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.  Verse forty-five continues, Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.  Jesus compared the people of that day to one who had a demon cast out, and the demon not finding rest returned to the one that he was cast out of.  Finding the man appearing to be sane, the demon would return with seven other spirits more wicked than himself and possess the man.  I believe that what Jesus was saying is that we cannot clean our own life simply by having things appear normal.  We may cast out one sin, but if we are not empowered by the Holy Spirit after accepting Jesus as our Savior and Lord, then we will ultimately just give in to a greater sin.  Verse forty-six states, While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him.  While Jesus was talking to the people around Him, His mother and brothers came desiring to talk to Him.  Verse forty-seven adds, Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee.  Someone told Jesus that His mother and brothers wanted to talk to Him.  We are not told why they wanted to talk to Jesus, only that they did.  As his earthly relatives, they may have felt that Jesus owed them more, or they might have simply been there to ask Him to come home where it would be safe, but that is speculation on my part.  Verse forty-eight asks, But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?  Jesus asked who His mother and brethren were, and it was not to be based on earthly ties, but on spiritual ones as we will see in the next verse.  Verse forty-nine declares, And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!  Then verse fifty adds, For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.  The only way to have a personal relationship with Christ is through faith in the heavenly Father.  I know some people pray to Mary, but I believe that we see here that she has no more influence with Jesus than any other believer.  If we put our faith in Jesus as our Savior and Lord, then we have as much access to Him through the Holy Spirit as anyone else does.

Matthew 12:22

 Matthew 12:22 says, Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw.  A man who could not see or speak and was possessed of a devil was brought to Jesus, and Jesus restored the man's sight and his ability to speak, proved by the fact that the man could both see and speak   Verse twenty-three states,  And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David?  the people were all amazed, and asked if He were not the Son of David, or the Messiah.  Before we can accept Jesus as our Savior and Lord, we must first acknowledge Who He is.  Verse twenty-four states, But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.  The Pharisees once more attempted to discredit Jesus, claiming that he cast out devils by the power of the devil.  We should never attempt to claim that Jesus is empowered by anyone but the heavenly Father Himself.  Verse twenty-five declares,  And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:  Jesus knew their thoughts, just as He knows ours today, and stated that a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand.  We need to remember that today.  Verse twenty-six adds,  And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?  Jesus then asked if Satan was divided against himself, how could his kingdom stand.  Christians may sometimes be divided among themselves, but Satan never is.  Verse twenty-seven continues,  And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges.  Jesus asked if He was casting out demons by the power of Beelzebub, then by whose authority did the people of Israel cast them out, and to let the people be the judge.  Verse twenty-eight declares, But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.  Jesus then said if He cast out devils by the spirit of God, then the kingdom of God was come to them.  Ultimately, we must decide Who Jesus is individually, and if He is the Messiah, then the kingdom of God has come for us.  Verse twenty-nine adds, Or else how can one enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house.  Jesus said that in order to steal from a strong man while he was in the house, you needed to first bind the strong man.  Of course, Jesus cannot be bound except by our lack of faith in Him, and then He is really not bound, but the gift of salvation is bound for anyone who rejects Him.  Verse thirty proclaims, He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.  Jesus made it very clear that there is no neutral ground.  Each individual is either for Jesus or against Him.  Verse thirty-one adds, Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.  If we blaspheme against the Holy Ghost we will not be forgiven.  Verse thirty-two continues, And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.  Jesus said that a person could be forgiven for speaking against Him,, but speaking against the Holy Ghost could not be forgiven, now or in the world to come.  I believe that is because once we accept Jesus as our Savior and Lord, we are filled with the Holy Spirit and then we should always give God credit for everything in our life.  We all at one time spoke against Jesus.  Verse thirty-three states, Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.  Jesus said that we would be known by our fruit.  Verse thirty-four declares, O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.  Jesus called the people of Israel, and the Pharisees in particular, a generation of vipers.   Jesus also said that we will speak what is in our heart.  Verse thirty-five continues, A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.   Jesus said a good man, one who had accepted Him as Savior and Lord, would bring forth good things, and an evil man would bring forth evil things. Verse thirty-six declares,  But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.  Jesus said that we would be accountable for every idle word that we speak.  Verse thirty-seven adds, For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.  This was speaking about blasphemy, and we cannot attribute the things of God to the world or Satan and be held blameless.  

Matthew 12:9

 Matthew 12:9 says, And when he was departed thence, he went into their synagogue:  Verse ten adds, And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him.  Still on the Sabbath, Jesus went to the synagogue where He met a man with a withered hand.  The Pharisees asked Jesus if it was lawful to heal a man on the Sabbath.  The Pharisees didn't really care about the man, but were simply trying to trick Jesus.  Many people today will use any method possible to attempt to discredit Jesus.  Verse eleven declares, And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out?  Jesus replied with a question of His own.  If the Pharisees, or anyone there, had one sheep and it fell into a pit on the Sabbath, would the person not lift it out.  This would be work under Jewish law and would be wrong.  We must never become too legalistic in our relationship to God, but must act out of love and concern for other people under the leadership of the Holy Spirit.  Verse twelve adds, How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days.  Jesus said a man was more important than a sheep, and therefore it was lawful to do good for him on the Sabbath day.  Verse thirteen continues, Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other.  Jesus then told the man to stretch forth his hand, and when he did, it was made whole.  Jesus could have just said that the hand was made whole, but He required the man to act in faith that it would be.  Jesus came to save all people, but we must act in faith in order to accept that gift of salvation.  Verse fourteen states, Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him.   Instead of rejoicing that the man had been healed, the Pharisees got together to try to figure out how they could destroy Jesus.  It is bad that the lost people of the world attempt to destroy Jesus, but it is even worse when those who call themselves God's people do.  Verse fifteen declares, But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all;  When Jesus knew what the Pharisees were up to, He left the synagogue and great multitudes followed Him.  Hopefully, Jesus will not have to leave the places where we gather in His name today in order to keep us from preventing people from coming to Him.  Verse sixteen adds, And charged them that they should not make him known:  Jesus told the multitudes to not make Him known.  Verse eighteen states, That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,  This would also be the fulfillment of a prophesy of Isaiah,  Verse eighteen adds, Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles.  Jesus said that He was the Servant that Isaiah prophesied about, and that He would show God's judgment to the Gentiles.  Jesus came first to the Jews, but He came to save all people who would put their faith in Him as their Savior and Lord.  Verse nineteen states, He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets.  Verse twenty adds, A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory.  Jesus did not come with great fanfare, but as lowly Servant to all.  Verse twenty-one concludes, And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.  Because of the actions of Jesus, and also partly because of the actions of the Jews, God's chosen people, the gospel would be spread to the Gentiles.  Unlike the people around Jesus then, we as His followers have the command to make Him known to the world.

Matthew 12:1

Matthew 12:1 says,  At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were an hungred, and began to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat.  As Jesus and His disciples were travelling on a sabbath, they were hungry and began to pluck ears of corn to eat.  This was prohibited by Jewish law since it was work, especially the way it had been interpreted.  Verse two states, But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day. The Pharisees, who were seemingly always watching Jesus to find fault with what His disciples and He did, told Jesus that what His disciples were doing was unlawful.  We need to be careful that we do not attempt to spend all our time trying to find fault with other Christians.  Verse three declares, But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him;  Jesus answered the Pharisees by referring to the scripture, asking if they had not read about David when he was hungry.  If we question others, or they question us, the answer to determine who is right or wrong should be based on the scripture, the Bible.  Verse four adds, How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the shewbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests?  Jesus said that when David and those with him were hungry that he went into God's house and ate the shewbread, which was only lawful for the priests to do.  David was viewed as the greatest king, and yet he had done something that would be considered wrong when following the literal interpretation of the law.  We must not become too legalistic that we ignore the acts of faith under the leadership of the Holy Spirit.  Verse five continues, Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless?  Jesus continued to refer to the scripture, asking if the Pharisees had not read in the scripture that the priests did what would be considered work on the sabbath, and yet they were blameless.  Jesus is much greater than any priest, so how could the Pharisees claim that what He was doing of necessity was wrong.  Verse six proclaims, But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple.  The Pharisees were proud of the temple, but Jesus said that in that place was One greater than the temple, and that was Jesus Himself.  We need to be careful that we do not begin to hold the things associated with the church building as being more important than the people of the church.  Verse seven adds, But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.  Jesus asked the Pharisees if they knew the meaning of the scripture that God would have mercy over sacrifice.  Our sacrifices cannot bring us forgiveness, but only the mercy of God can.  Verse eight declares, For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day.  Jesus stated that the Son of Man, the Messiah, Jesus Himself, was the Lord of the sabbath.  We cannot become so legalistic that we forget about God's mercy.  It is important to observe the sabbath, or the Lord's Day in our case, but we should never use observing it as a reason to condemn others.  

Matthew 11:16

Matthew 11:16 says, But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows,  Verse seventeen adds, And saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented.  Jesus asked who He could compare that generation to.  He said that they would claim that the people did not become festive when they said they should, nor did they mourn when others told them to.  Verse eighteen declares, For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil.  Jesus said that John the Baptist came and did not eat or drink a lot of normal foods, and the people accused him of being demon possessed.  Verse nineteen adds, The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.  Jesus said He, the Son of Man, came and ate and drank and was accused of being a winebibber and a friend of the publicans and sinners.  God's people were attempting to judge John the Baptist and Jesus by their own standards instead of by their actions toward God and His word.  We cannot judge people as to their relationship to God by what they eat or drink, nor by whom they eat or drink with, but only by their relationship to Jesus Christ.  Verse twenty proclaims, Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not:  Jesus began to unbraid the cities where His most mighty works were done because they still did not repent.  God's mightest work was given to us by providing a way to salvation through faith in Christ, but many people still refuse to accept Him as their Savior and Lord.  Verse twenty-one adds, Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.  Jesus said that if the works done in Chroazin and Bethsaida, two cities of the Jews, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, two cities of the Gentiles, that the people of those two cities of the Gentiles would have repented in sackcloth and ashes, but the cities of the Jewish people did not.  Verse twenty-two continues, But I say you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you.  Jesus said that it would be more tolerable for those in Tyre and Sidon than it would be for those in Chroazin and Bethsaida.  We in America call ourselves a Christian nation, and have had access to the gospel for the whole time we have been a nation, so we will be found more responsible for our rejection of Christ if we reject Him than those who have not had easy access to the gospel.  Verse twenty-three declares, And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.  Jesus said that Capernaum, which exalted itself as a city of God, would be brought down to hell, and that if the mighty works done in Capernaum had been done in Sodom that Sodom would still be standing. which implies that the people of Sodom would have repented.  Verse twenty-four adds, But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.   Though destroyed for its wickedness, Jesus said it would be more tolerable in Sodom on judgement day than it would be in some of the cities that called themselves cities of God.  Verse twenty-five states, At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.  Jesus said that He thanked the heavenly Father for making the way to salvation understandable to even the simplest of people whereas it was often hidden to those who thought themselves to be wise.  Salvation can never be based on anything other than a relationship with Jesus Christ by faith in Him as Savior and Lord, and for too many people, this is just too simple for them to accept.  Verse twenty-six continues, Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.  Jesus said that the plan of salvation was the plan of the heavenly Father.  Verse twenty-seven declares, All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.  Jesus said that the only way to know the heavenly Father was through faith in the Son, and the only way to know the Son was to know the Father.  Father, Son and Holy Spirit are One God, and we must accept this by faith if we are to be saved.  We do not have to be able to fully explain the triune nature of God in order to be saved,  Verse twenty-eight states, Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Jesus called on those weighed down by the burdens of life to come to Him to find rest.  Verse twenty-nine adds, Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.  Jesus said that if people would yoke themselves with Him that they would find rest, and that He was meek and lowly of heart.  If we are truly following Christ, we must take on the nature of Christ, which means that we should be meek and not think too highly of our self.  Verse thirty concludes, For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.  The burden that Jesus puts on us is simply to put our life in His hands through faith and then to live by the guidance of the Holy Spirit.  As long as we live by faith, the problems that we face in life will always be easy, because we are already a part of the kingdom of God through our faith in Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord.