Comparing Jesus and John the Baptist

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Scripture: Matthew 11:16-19 (ESV)

16 “But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their playmates,

            17          “‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance;

we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’

18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds.”

 

Devotion:

           

            Matthew here takes in the differences between Jesus and John. Although their behavior in ministry was quite the opposite of each other the people rejected both. Matthew notes that the people and their leaders produced labels for both Jesus and John to dismiss each one in their turn. John who preached a stern message of repentance from sin contrasted with Jesus who preached a message of the coming of God’s kingdom on earth. The leaders and the people could not understand either one’s purpose.

 

            Do we in the church today harbor similar attitudes? To some extent we do. When a preacher preaches about our sinfulness and our need for repentance and belief, we say that they are just trying to scare his flock into heaven. If the preacher talks about the coming kingdom and our need to bring it about on earth as in heaven, we condemn them for preaching a social justice gospel. And we say that anyone in between these two extremes is lukewarm. People will usually find fault with preachers no matter what they do or say.

           

            Jesus is quoted as saying that “wisdom is justified by her deeds.” So, we should examine our leaders by whether they preach Christ and him crucified for our sins. Salvation by grace through faith in Jesus. If this gospel is preached, we should hold our complaints about the style and manner of presentation. We should support such leaders and follow them willingly. In truth, preaching the gospel is a challenging task and we should support those God has called to this task.

           

            Therefore, let us not be like the people in Jesus' story in today’s scripture. Let us mourn and dance as we are led by our leaders. Let us praise God and serve him, always.

 

Prayer:

           

            Lord God the Almighty the king of creation we praise your holy name. Help us to weep and mourn and dance and rejoice at the proper times. Help us to accept all leaders who preach the gospel and follow them without murmuring or complaining. Let us give glory to God for those you have called to the task of faithfully proclaiming the good news of Jesus, crucified, resurrected, and reigning in heaven. Amen.

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