The Woman At The Well

Although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned, you have revealed them to the little ones.” (Matt11:25)

Jesus was a teacher; He taught by example. Usually His message had had two teachings: one which was on the surface and a deeper meaning which wash hidden beneath the surface.

On the surface, the wise and learned are the Scribes and Pharisee; their teachings, the" yoke of the Torah", impose a heavy burden on the people. The arbitrators of faith are unable to see the mysteries of Christ in the kingdom of God. Like Alice in Wonderland, the above ground logic of Alice will not work in the below ground logic of the rabbit. The little ones are the meek, the humble, the ones the Father has given the grace of His "gracious will," They will form the Christian community; they will know the Father through Christ. The familiarity and intimacy of Christ and the Father (Abba), is such as that of a child and a loving parent. The disciples will have that closeness too; they will be given the inner peace of the spirit in this life which quiets their mind and heart. The disciples will still have trials, frustrations, and sufferings, but the call to discipleship will be lighter with Christ's help. By tying yourself to the yoke of Christ, one sees He carries the heavier burden. His yoke contains all the love He has for His disciples.

The below surface meaning speaks to those who are given power; to those who have authority, the right to govern others, the "wise and the learned." How one uses their power is the core teaching. Does one see himself as standing over others, judging, condemning, punishing? The Scribes and Pharisees did this. An obligation was made into something negative. True authority, true leadership is based on mercy and love.

God uses His authority to love us to goodness. Love is never negative; it doesn't demand; it simply is. An obligation is not a task to be done; it is a labor of love, a prologue to joy.

All of us have some power or authority over another: a mother tells one of her children, "You are in charge." When we are tempted to think of our dignity, our prestige, our rights, our desires, our self-prominence, then we are no longer, “one of the little ones." When we walk alone, we are bound to stumble, to grope, to go the wrong way. When we take up the yoke of Christ, we have our guide to safety, peace; our service to others becomes a joy, not an obligation.