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“All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.” (Matthew 11:27)
Calvinists use this statement of Jesus to suggest that Jesus only chooses to reveal the Father to certain ones (the ones chosen before the foundation of the world to be saved).
This is certainly true.
The question is: to whom does the Son choose to reveal the Father?
All we need to do is look at the next verses.
Matthew 11:28-30-Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
Notice several things with you.
First, there is an invitation that Jesus offers to all who labor and are heavy laden. The imagery is of one who is burdened and oppressed with the sins and weight of life. The Lord Jesus makes it clear that He extends the offer of sweet rest to all sinners by this statement. It is also clear that sinners have the ability to respond to Jesus’ invitation.
Second, notice that Jesus calls upon those who would follow Him to learn from Him. He is the great Teacher (Matthew 7:24-27) with the words of eternal life (John 6:63-69).
Third, Jesus calls on those who would follow Him to bear His yoke and His burden. The imagery is of sharing in the work and responsibility of a vocation.
So, whom does Jesus reveal the Father to?
To those who choose to respond to His invitation, who are willing to learn from Him, and to those who are willing to follow Him and join in His work.
This passage is no help to our Calvinist friends, and actually disproves several elements of unconditional election.
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