In order to submit, we have to make a conscious effort to lower our expectations or interests to the expectations or interests of someone else. You cannot make someone else submit. You can force someone to do what you want them to do, but that’s not submission.
Submission begins in the heart. We will not submit until our hearts are humbled toward the other person.
In our monthly study this year on the “Prayer Life of Jesus,” I am going to be talking about submission in our marriage. We will begin by looking at a prayer of Jesus which is actually recorded. This is the first prayer of Jesus we have looked at this year where the words are given to us. And I want to emphasize how important it is for us to pray for submission.
GOD REVEALS HIS WILL TO “INFANTS” – 11:25-26:
Jesus praised the Father, thanking Him for His discretion in revealing heavenly truths to those who were “babies” in their humility. Those who are wise and intelligent by the world’s standards do not easily submit their intellect to the will of God. The humble – the “infants” – are those who will seek God and the will of the Son.
NO ONE KNOWS THE FATHER – 11:27:
Just as John 14:6 rules out as intellectually and spiritually unsatisfactory all non-Christian religions, such as Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism, so this verse does the same for Matthew’s gospel. No one knows the true nature of the Father except the Son and only He can reveal the Father.
WE KNOW THE FATHER THROUGH HIS YOKE – 11:28-30:
Speaking of the will of the Father, Jesus calls on any with humility to come to Him and learn His teaching. Those laboring to be saved under the teachings of men and those who have been burdened by the traditions and doctrines of men need to come to Christ to receive rest.
RETURNING TO INTER-PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS:
If a wife does not believe her husband’s heart is submissive to Christ, then she might have a hard time submitting to him because she doesn’t feel she can trust him. And, of course, if he refuses to consider her thoughts, feelings, and insights on a subject, then he is not reflecting the humility that Christ requires of us. Certainly, also, if trust has been violated in the past, perhaps in a prior relationship, then it can also be challenging to submit.
Pray for your own submission and for the submission of your spouse in their proper, respective sphere.
Paul Holland
