Monday-Revealed

It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.

1 Peter 1:12

When our daughter Jenny was just a little girl, we’d play with her on the floor. After Mary Ann put a blanket down on the hard wood floors to make it more comfortable for the three of us, we’d roll around, playing and loving on one another. We also brought out the massive amount of toys given by her loving and very generous grand parents. It was so exciting to watch as she explored this new world with us.

Every once in a while, we’d take one of her toys and cover it with part of the blanket. When Jenny went looking for that toy, she couldn’t find it. She couldn’t figure out what happened to it. Even if she watched us cover up the toy, she couldn’t noodle out what happened. Eventually we’d pull the blanket back to reveal the toy and her cute giggling.

When something’s revealed, it’s uncovered. It’s brought out into the light. Moved out into the open. There was something, but it can’t be seen anymore. We know that there was something there, but now it’s gone. To reveal something takes what was hidden and brings it out. Once it’s revealed, it can be seen by everyone. Whatever caused the hiding has been removed.

My parents always tried to hide our Christmas presents. They’d put them somewhere in the house that we’d never suspect they’d be. They wanted to reveal their presents on Christmas morning. But that never stopped me. Not on your life. Starting around Thanksgiving, I started quietly snooping around the house, looking for something new. Something that didn’t belong there.

Of all my favorite Christmas reveals, was the year I asked for a bike. But not just any bike, I wanted a bike that had gears. Everyone had the regular “glider” bikes that just had the one gear. And you were that gear. But there were these new bikes that had three gears! Can you imagine, I could peddle to the ends of the Earth with three gears.

Yes, I had asked nicely. I asked again and again. And then asked again and again. You get the picture. I could be really irritating when I wanted something. I had the gift of being able to bother and frustrate anyone on the planet just so I could get my way. And of course, my way was always the best way.

I knew something was going on, so I started my normal big game hunt through the house. I went through every inch of the basement. Nothing. So, I threw caution to the wind and crawled around the attic, looking for some clue that would lead me to reveal my Christmas presents. But I came up empty.

In a moment of desperation, I decided I had to go where no one would dare go. Like Indiana Jones looking for lost and hidden treasures, I had to do something very different and dangerous. Ignoring all the danger signals, and the fact that no one had ever returned alive from this sacred place, I slowly and carefully entered the inner sanctum of my parents bedroom.

As I moved from looking behind the door, I went through their closets and even peaked behind their furniture. I came up empty. And then a most unusual thought popped into my head. Why not look under the bed. So, getting down on my knees, I was rewarded with the sight I wanted more than anything else. A great, big box with the word “bicycle” printed in four-inch-high letters! What was hidden had been revealed.

Peter’s telling his audience that the good news about Jesus was revealed to them. They didn’t earn it. They didn’t deserve it. They didn’t follow some spiritual treasure map where X marks the spot. It was right there all the time, but they couldn’t see it or him. God himself had to reveal his goodness and kindness.

He had to come down from the throne of heaven and walk on Earth just like we do. When he came, it wasn’t like some god who was above all the hurt and suffering of this world. Not on your life. Jesus experienced everything we did so he could empathize with our weaknesses. He was tempted in every way that we are, but never did anything wrong[1].

When it comes to God revealing himself to us, Jesus is his greatest and final word[2]. There’s no better way for God to show just what he’s like. God has revealed his everlasting love for us. While we were sinners and his enemies, he paid the price to bring us back to himself[3].

If I had to guess, I bet that we like to look for things that are hidden. To search out and find the gift that’s unseen. To poke around for something that’s waiting to be given to us. With all my heart, I’m encouraging you to look to Jesus. Through the words and stories from the Bible, let him reveal himself to you. He will give you rest. He is so very gentle. His yoke is easy, and his burden is light[4]. He’ll walk with you through the valley of the shadow of death that you’re going through[5]. God has revealed himself to us in and through Jesus. It’s time that we pay attention to who he’s revealed himself to be.

Noodling Questions

• How comfortable are you about your life being revealed to God? Explain

• What’s your reaction when someone else’s life is revealed?

• How do we balance keeping some things hidden and others revealed?

[1] Hebrews 4:15

[2] Hebrews 1:2

[3] Romans 5:8,10

[4] Matthew 11:28-30

[5] Psalm 23:4