Messengers from John the Baptist
The disciples of John reported all these things to him. So John summoned two of his disciples 19and sent them to the Lord to ask, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?’ 20When the men had come to him, they said, ‘John the Baptist has sent us to you to ask, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” ’ 21Jesus had just then cured many people of diseases, plagues, and evil spirits, and had given sight to many who were blind. 22And he answered them, ‘Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have good news brought to them. 23And blessed is anyone who takes no offence at me.’
When John’s messengers had gone, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: ‘What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? 25What then did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who put on fine clothing and live in luxury are in royal palaces. 26What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 27This is the one about whom it is written,
“See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way before you.”
28I tell you, among those born of women no one is greater than John; yet the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.’ 29(And all the people who heard this, including the tax-collectors, acknowledged the justice of God,* because they had been baptized with John’s baptism. 30But by refusing to be baptized by him, the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected God’s purpose for themselves.)
‘To what then will I compare the people of this generation, and what are they like? 32They are like children sitting in the market-place and calling to one another,
“We played the flute for you, and you did not dance;
we wailed, and you did not weep.”
33For John the Baptist has come eating no bread and drinking no wine, and you say, “He has a demon”; 34the Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, “Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax-collectors and sinners!” 35Nevertheless, wisdom is vindicated by all her children.’ Luke 7:18-35
Some times we can get so discouraged by events that we decide to withdraw from it all. Sometimes we are tired and weary, and don't know how to go forward. This election season has been painful for many, leaving folks confused and wondering how we got here. It is much easier to be jaded than to find a way to participate, to sit on the sidelines and criticize. I always our children are watching, and they will participate or withdraw as we do.
Jesus invites us to live within the world we are and bring wisdom and love to the places we find ourselves. The confusion that overwhelmed the disciples - John's and Jesus - overwhelms us too. We can be so shook up that we do not what to do. God invites us to think about those who follow us, our children and our children's children. Are we willing to brave our own frailties and disappointments, and join the dance?
Today I am asking God to help me bring a spirit of love and wisdom to everything I do. May we dig deep and enter the fray, bringing the gifts we have been given, knowing that God will supply the wisdom we need.
“See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way before you.”
28I tell you, among those born of women no one is greater than John; yet the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.’ 29(And all the people who heard this, including the tax-collectors, acknowledged the justice of God,* because they had been baptized with John’s baptism. 30But by refusing to be baptized by him, the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected God’s purpose for themselves.)
‘To what then will I compare the people of this generation, and what are they like? 32They are like children sitting in the market-place and calling to one another,
“We played the flute for you, and you did not dance;
we wailed, and you did not weep.”
33For John the Baptist has come eating no bread and drinking no wine, and you say, “He has a demon”; 34the Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, “Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax-collectors and sinners!” 35Nevertheless, wisdom is vindicated by all her children.’ Luke 7:18-35
Some times we can get so discouraged by events that we decide to withdraw from it all. Sometimes we are tired and weary, and don't know how to go forward. This election season has been painful for many, leaving folks confused and wondering how we got here. It is much easier to be jaded than to find a way to participate, to sit on the sidelines and criticize. I always our children are watching, and they will participate or withdraw as we do.
Jesus invites us to live within the world we are and bring wisdom and love to the places we find ourselves. The confusion that overwhelmed the disciples - John's and Jesus - overwhelms us too. We can be so shook up that we do not what to do. God invites us to think about those who follow us, our children and our children's children. Are we willing to brave our own frailties and disappointments, and join the dance?
Today I am asking God to help me bring a spirit of love and wisdom to everything I do. May we dig deep and enter the fray, bringing the gifts we have been given, knowing that God will supply the wisdom we need.
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