What’s inside the box? I wondered and wondered when the box was set on the table with instructions that read, “Don’t open it now!” It was a nice-looking box, and it was not wrapped or tied. It was a shoebox, but that didn’t give me a clue to the mystery. Yes, it was something for me, but I had no idea what was inside.
There are lots of puzzles and mysteries in life and many things we cannot guess. But when our Lord Jesus was here on earth, He never found anything beyond His knowledge and understanding, because He was the Son of God. There were nice people who asked Him questions, and Jesus always knew the thoughts and reasons behind their questions. Sometimes their questions were not as nice as they sounded.
And Jesus knows the thoughts and reasons behind our questions too. Does that make you glad, or does it trouble you?
There were men who asked Jesus questions because they wanted to make Him say something that would get Him into trouble. But Matthew 9:44And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts? (Matthew 9:4) tells us, “Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?” Jesus knew what they were thinking and what their motives were. Even while He was here on earth, Jesus was God who knows everything and the God who forgives sins. The Pharisees knew that only God could forgive sins, so they questioned, How could Jesus forgive sins? The answer is Jesus is God! That’s how.
Yes, Jesus’ answer did get Him into trouble. He came to die for sinners, like you and me, but those men were guilty of blaming Him for telling the truth. Jesus knew what was in their hearts and that they were trying to corner Him. Nothing was a secret to Him. “[God knows] the secrets of the heart” (Psalm 44:2121Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart. (Psalm 44:21)).
I am very glad that He knows what is in my heart, because I don’t want to have secrets from Him. Do you? He could not forgive my sins if He did not know them.
Perhaps you are still wondering what was in my box. I did not have to wonder very long. In fact, I never opened that box, because there was something alive inside that opened it for me! The lid tipped up, and there were two bright eyes of a cute, little gray kitten with a pink nose and whiskers. That’s what was in my shoebox, and I never guessed it!
That’s a real story. My kitten was a special gift, and he lived for fifteen years and then died. But do you know something? Jesus is a very special gift for you, right now. Let me tell you how.
The men who had secret thoughts against Jesus finally led Him to Calvary’s cross, and they were glad to see Him crucified. He could easily have avoided the cross, but He died there for a special reason-it was His love for you and me. Because He shed His blood on the cross, the way has been opened for us to have our sins forgiven so that we will go to heaven someday. “[Jesus] in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Ephesians 1:77In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; (Ephesians 1:7)).
Jesus was buried too, but here’s the wonderful part - He rose again! The Lord Jesus is not dead - He is alive in heaven today! I have not seen Him, but I surely will see Him, and so will you. God’s Word tells us that every eye will see Him, and that means you too. Is He your very own Savior? You may gladly receive Him today or you may do like those other men - try to keep your secrets from Him and leave Him out of your life. Either way, you are sure to see Him after you leave this world, either as your Savior or as your Judge.
The Lord Jesus saves people one at a time, and it doesn’t matter how old you are or where you live. Will you be that one right now? “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Timothy 1:1515This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. (1 Timothy 1:15)).
Think About God’s Word!
1. Why did the men in this story ask Jesus questions?
2. Did you ever have a secret in your heart that you did not want the Lord Jesus to know? What verse in Matthew 9 that you’ve just read shows that this is impossible?
Project: Daniel 2 tells us something very interesting about what God does with secret things. What does He do?