The Economy of Revelation
Jesus’ revelation of himself is an extreme economy:
Testimony First: He expects people to come to belief based on testimony, based on the witness of those who have seen him or experienced him, not based on direct experience. For instance, the disciples spread the message of his resurrection, and even though many did not personally witness the event, they are invited to believe on the strength of their testimony. This principle stands even today—the testimony of others, the written record, and the Holy Spirit’s inner witness are all that many have to rely on when they first come to Christ. Jesus trusts that this will be enough for many.
Experience as a Bonus, Not a Requirement: For those who have come to faith through testimony, Jesus doesn’t necessarily provide overwhelming personal experiences. The economy of revelation is so well-calibrated that Jesus will offer just enough personal experience for those who need it to further deepen their faith, but never so much that it forces faith. It’s a rare, intimate encounter for a select few, like Thomas, or Paul, or others who had extraordinary revelations. But for most, the primary means of encountering Jesus is through the testimony of others and the stirrings of the Spirit.
Frustrating Unbelief
Unbelief, on the other hand, seems to be met with greater frustration. In Mark 6:5-6, when Jesus visits his hometown of Nazareth, it says:
"He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. He was amazed at their lack of faith."
Jesus could have revealed himself more fully to them, but he didn’t. He left them in their unbelief, revealing just enough to show that his power was real but not forcing them to believe. They were given only what they were willing to receive, and because of their hardened hearts, he withdrew from them in a sense.
A Special Blessing for Those Who Love Him
For those who already love him or seek him with a sincere heart, the revelation of Jesus is a deeply intimate blessing. It’s like an invitation into the very heart of God—an experience that transforms them and strengthens their relationship with him. The selective nature of his revelation means that those who have come to him by faith, who have trusted in the testimony of others and have responded to the inner stirrings of the Spirit, are given glimpses of a reality that the world cannot comprehend.
1. The Blessing of Hidden Revelation
Luke 10:21-22: Jesus, in thanking the Father for revealing things to the "little children" rather than to the wise and learned, speaks of the great blessing of knowing the mysteries of the Kingdom. In verse 22, he says, "All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and no one knows who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him." This is the blessing of revelation—it’s given to those who love him, who follow him, and who are open to him. It’s an intimate knowing, a deep connection that only those in a relationship with him can experience.
John 14:21: Jesus says, “Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.” There’s a special privilege given to those who love Jesus—an experience of his presence that goes beyond just intellectual belief or recognition.
This is where the economy of revelation becomes so special: it’s not about massive signs or public displays of power, but about a personal, loving relationship where Jesus reveals himself to those who seek him with a genuine heart. And for those who truly love him, that revelation is transformative.
Mercy Extended to His Enemies: Saul of Tarsus
Now, in the case of someone like Saul (later Paul), the revelation of Jesus becomes something altogether different: mercy to an enemy. Saul was actively persecuting Christians, trying to destroy the very thing Jesus had built. He was not just a skeptic or a doubter; he was a passionate opponent. But even in this, Jesus extends an exceptional mercy, revealing himself to Saul in a way that would forever change him.
2. Mercy for the Enemy
Acts 9:3-6: When Saul was on his way to Damascus, "suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, 'Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?'" This dramatic and personal encounter with Jesus wasn’t just a way to overwhelm Saul’s unbelief—it was an act of profound mercy. Saul was not seeking Jesus; he was actively trying to destroy the message of Jesus. But in the middle of this, Jesus reached out to him.
The Mercy of Revelation: This was a mercy to Saul because Jesus didn’t have to reveal himself to him at all. Saul could have continued in his ignorance and hostility, but instead, Jesus chose to reveal his glory to Saul. He was giving Saul the opportunity to repent and be transformed. What is so extraordinary about this revelation is that it wasn’t just to inform Saul—it was to redeem him. Jesus didn’t just reveal himself to crush Saul’s opposition; he did so to turn him into one of the greatest proponents of the faith.
In Saul’s case, the revelation was both a rebuke and a mercy. Jesus revealed himself to Saul, but not to overwhelm him with proof, but to confront him with the truth that would lead to his repentance and conversion. This mercy was so extraordinary because it wasn't given to someone seeking it, but to someone who was actively rejecting the very idea of Jesus.
The Exceptional Nature of Revelation
Jesus Revealing Himself as an Act of Mercy: The selective nature of Jesus’ revelation transforms what could be a mundane or obligatory act into something far more meaningful. It’s not just an opportunity to know him—it’s a gift given only to those who are open to it. For those who love him, this revelation is a treasured blessing, a sign of the deep intimacy and communion they share with the Savior. But even for those who don’t love him, those who actively reject him—he still, in his mercy, chooses to reveal himself on occasion. And these moments of revelation can transform lives in the most unexpected ways.
Saul’s Transformation to Paul: The mercy of Saul’s conversion is a powerful testimony to the fact that Jesus’ revelations aren’t always given to those who seek them. Sometimes, they are given to those who most need them, to those who are deeply entrenched in their opposition. Jesus’ mercy in revealing himself to Saul turned him from an enemy into one of the most passionate advocates for the faith.
A Special Blessing for Believers and a Mercy for His Enemies
By making his revelation such a special blessing for those who love him and an exceptional mercy for even his enemies, Jesus makes the whole act of revealing himself a deeply personal and transformative event.
For those who love him, his revelation is an invitation into a deeper relationship, a more intimate knowledge of the heart of God.
For those who oppose him, his revelation is an opportunity for repentance, a moment of mercy that can lead to profound transformation.
This economy of revelation speaks to the heart of the gospel: that Jesus reveals himself not in ways that conform to human expectations or logic, but in ways that are designed to challenge, transform, and redeem.
Stephen D Green with ChatGPT
