Anchor My Faith

What People Are Like

Scripture: Matthew 11:19; Luke 7:29-34

In our previous lesson we struggled with some difficult verses, but in this lesson the verses have more meaning to us. We begin with: ^{Lk 7:29} “When all the people heard this, and the tax collectors too, they declared God just, having been baptized with the baptism of John, ³⁰ but the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected the purpose of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him.”

Many people who were listening to Jesus speak about John, even some tax collectors, who were seen as sinners and hated because of their corruption, declared God to be just, repented of their sin, sought forgiveness and were baptized by John. It was clear that God was working through John, preparing the people for the coming of Jesus, who would carry on the work John was introducing. But the Pharisees and the lawyers, who should be leading the people in the things of God, rejected the purpose God had for them and would not come and repent of their sin and seek forgiveness and be baptized by John.

Jesus then speaks to those who were not responding to the message of both he and John: ^{Lk 7:31} “To what then shall I compare the people of this generation, and what are they like? ³² They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another, ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not weep.’”

The generation that Jesus speaks of includes everyone who rejected the teaching of both John the Baptist and Jesus, and who were still the dominant force in the culture. Jesus describes them to be like children who refused play either a sad or a happy game. They are people, who are not willing to accept what God has for them and instead walk in their own ways to their eternal destruction.

Jesus then describes their reaction to both he and John: ^{Lk 7:33} “For John the Baptist has come eating no bread and drinking no wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’ ³⁴ The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ ³⁵ Yet wisdom is justified by all her children, ^{Mt 11:19} by her deeds.”

Apparently, some accused John of demonic influence because of his appearance and ascetic lifestyle. How quick people are to judge others who are different in various ways than they are. As we walk with Jesus we find his association with those in need of spiritual healing, and his refusal to fast according to Pharisaic expectations, have resulted in him being accused of being a “glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!” However, God’s wisdom will be justified by the righteous fruits of their lives and ministries.

Prayer

Father, as I look back over this lesson, I wonder, how much do we allow the opinions of others to affect our walk with God. Despite opinions and pressures from the general population and leaders, John stayed the course and was killed in prison; Jesus pressed on to the cross where he took our sin and died in our place to provide for us life and clothed us with his righteousness. Father, I don’t think we in the western culture are very willing to carry our cross to accomplish our God given work assignment.