“Out of the Mouths of Babes and Sucklings” (Ready to Worship S12E5)

September 18, 2020

Ready to Worship Season 12, Episode 5 for Friday, September 18, 2020

On this season of Ready to Worship, we are examining worship in the gospel of Matthew. This week, we are examining a statement made about children in the temple. Matthew records, “And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the Son of David; they were sore displeased, And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?” (Mat. 21:15-16).

The chief priests and scribes, the guardians of the temple and the law, were displeased that people were being healed and that children were praising Jesus. Imagine that! They were displeased with the wonderful things that Jesus did and the wonderful things that the children said about Him. The Greek word translated as displeased (aganakteo) means to be “indignant.” The corrupt, religious establishment was enraged with envy. They didn’t care for Jesus and they didn’t care about the people. They cared about themselves. They only cared about their positions, their power, and their prosperity. They would rather people remain sick and afflicted than for Jesus to be praised for healing them. If Jesus was to be praised, it would come from someone else. It would not come from them. They had closed their eyes, stopped their ears, and hardened their hearts to all things Jesus (Mat. 13:15). They would not come to Him that they might have life (John 5:40). They would not confess who He was and would seek to silence those who did (John 9:22; 12:42). In contrast to the Jewish leaders, the children came to Jesus. In fact, they evidently came in such large numbers that the disciples tried to forbid them, believing that they were bothering Jesus (Mat. 19:13-14). They were not. They brought joy to His heart. They were a glad reminder of the kingdom of heaven (Mat. 18:1-4). Further, in contrast, to the Jewish leaders, the children confessed who Jesus was and praised Him. They cried out, “Hosanna, to the Son of David!” (Mat. 21:15). The Greek word translated as cry (krazo) refers to the cry of a raven. It refers to a loud and repeated cry. The children shouted praise over and over again. No wonder the Jewish leaders wanted it stopped! They were being convicted by the constant cries of children. The cries of these children were further proof of who He was (Psa. 8:2). As we get Ready to Worship this week, let’s allow the little children to lead us (Isa. 11:6). Let’s come and praise our God with perfect praise.