Matthew 11:7-19 Luke 7:24-35

Matthew 11:7-19 7 As these men were going away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John, “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 8 “But what did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ palaces! 9 “But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and one who is more than a prophet. 10 “This is the one about whom it is written,‘BEHOLD,I SEND MY MESSENGER AHEAD OF YOU,WHO WILL PREPARE YOUR WAY BEFORE YOU.’ 11 “Truly I say to you, among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist! Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 “From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and violent men take it by force. 13 “For all the prophets and the Law prophesied until John. 14 “And if you are willing to accept it, John himself is Elijah who was to come. 15 “He who has ears to hear, let him hear. 16 “But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the market places, who call out to the other children, 17 and say, ‘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, ‘Behold, a gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.”

Luke 7:24-35 24 When the messengers of John had left, He began to speak to the crowds about John, “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 25 “But what did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Those who are splendidly clothed and live in luxury are found in royal palaces! 26 “But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and one who is more than a prophet. 27 “This is the one about whom it is written, ‘BEHOLD, I SEND MY MESSENGER AHEAD OF YOU, WHO WILL PREPARE YOUR WAY BEFORE YOU.’ 28 “I say to you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” 29 When all the people and the tax collectors heard this, they acknowledged God’s justice, having been baptized with the baptism of John. 30 But the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected God’s purpose for themselves, not having been baptized by John. 31 “To what then shall I compare the men of this generation, and what are they like? 32 “They are like children who sit in the market place and call to one another, and they say, ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not weep.’ 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, ‘Behold, a gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ 35 “Yet wisdom is vindicated by all her children.”

Recognition is something most people enjoy but can easily become an idol in our lives.  God wants us to strive for His recognition and not the recognition of men.  In the previous text, we saw John the Baptist questioning the identity of Jesus as Messiah.  But instead of criticizing John; Jesus recognizes his contributions to the kingdom and praises him as a great prophet.  It is encouraging to see how graciously Jesus spoke of John even after John’s questions.  God understands our weaknesses and is patient with us.  He does not forget our faithfulness in the face of our frailties. 

JESUS CONFRONTS THE PEOPLE’S REASONS FOR LISTENING TO JOHN: Once the messengers from John left, Jesus confronted the people with why they had followed John.  The ministry John had performed was unique.  The religious leaders of his day were wealthy and portrayed themselves as royalty.  They lived in cities, with comfortable homes, wore soft clothing and changed their positions in accordance with the political climate of the moment.  John was the polar opposite.  He lived in the wilderness, dressed in animal skins and stood firm in his convictions.  The fear of men will often cause leaders to waiver from what they know to be right.  John lived free from the fear of men and practiced the fear of the Lord in his life.  Pleasing people is not the way to gain recognition from God.

JESUS COMPARES THE PRIORITY OF THE MINISTRY OF JOHN: Jesus clearly identifies John as being the fulfillment of Scripture.  The Old Testament had foretold that there would be a great prophet who would prepare the way for the Messiah to come.  Jesus clearly states that John was that prophet.  In fact, Jesus goes so far as to say that John was the greatest of all the prophets leading up to that day.  This is very strong praise for a man who seemed to be questioning his own message.  Jesus states that John was the representation of the prophet Elijah who was foretold to return and prepare the path for Jesus.  What is even more amazing than what Jesus said about John, is what He said about us.  Since we have the Holy Spirit permanently indwelling us; all believers are greater than John was.  Great resources generate great responsibilities.

JESUS CRITICIZES THE PEOPLE’S RESPONSE TO THE MESSAGE OF JOHN: There were basically two different responses to John’s message of repentance.  The tax collectors and sinners repented and were baptized by him.  The Scribes and the Pharisees scoffed at him and refused to repent.  They attributed his unique lifestyle to daemon possession and refused to repent.  However, these same men also rejected the message and ministry of Jesus because he ate and drank with sinners.  Nobody was “good enough” for these religious leaders.  They were so impressed with themselves that they were not open to the work and ministry of anyone else.  John was too strict, Jesus was too open.  In reality, they saw themselves as the example by which others should measure themselves.  Pride is the downfall of those who refuse the message of the Gospel.

APPLICATION: Protect our hearts from the fear of men and stand firm on our biblical convictions.  Recognize the powerful resources we have in the Person of the Holy Spirit and allow Him to work mightily through us.  Humble ourselves before the Lord, repent of our sins and rejoice in God’s gracious forgiveness.