A Dangerous Skepticism
TRANSLATION
(24) After John’s messengers had left, Jesus began speaking to the crowd about John. “What did you go out into the wilderness to see, a reed shaken by the wind? (25) If not, then what did you go out to see, a man dressed in fine clothing? No, those who are dressed in splendid clothing and live in luxury are found in royal courts. (26) What then did you go out to see, a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and far more than a prophet. (27) This is the one of whom it is written, ‘Behold, I send my messenger ahead of you who will prepare the way before you.’ (28) I tell you, among those born of women no one is greater than John, yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” (29) (When all the people, even the tax collectors, heard this, they acknowledged God’s way to be just because they had been baptized by John. (30) But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law rejected God’s purpose for themselves since they had not been baptized by John.)
(31) “To what should I compare this generation and what are they like? (32) They are like children who sit in the marketplace and call one to another; saying, ‘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 came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you said, ‘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) Wisdom will be proved right by all her children.”
OBSERVATIONS
In this passage, Jesus’ tribute to the life and ministry of John the Baptist, repeated words and phrases enable us to discern its thrust. We find John’s name repeated five times (twice in vs. 24 and once each in vss. 28, 29, & 33) along with “baptism/baptized” (three times in vss. 29 & 30). Three times Jesus challenged his hearers with the question, “What then did you go out to see” (vss. 24, 25, & 26)? We find four other repetitions: “clothing” (vs. 25), “tax collectors” (vss. 29 & 34), “children” (vss. 32 & 35), and “eating and drinking” (vss. 33 & 34). The contrast between the God-honoring ministry of John and the self-indulgent character of those whom he was calling to repent could hardly be more striking.
OUTLINE
I. Jesus praised the life and ministry of John the Baptist. (24-30)
II. Jesus parodied the fickleness of those among whom John ministered. (31-35)
IDEA STATEMENT
Those who are critical of what God is accomplishing through his messengers stand in danger of missing out on the gift of life offered to all who trust in the Son.
APPLICATION
Some people seem to specialize in faultfinding and grumbling. No matter the situation, no matter how someone tries to please them, they can always find something lacking, something to complain about. Jesus was dealing with such attitudes when he rebuked those who had failed to accept John’s ministry as the forerunner of Messiah. He first asked them, “What did you go out to see,” or in a more colloquial expression, “So what did you expect?”
He then compared such people to children playing a game we might call, “No satisfaction.” Whether piping a dance or playing a dirge, the musician can never seem to please those listening. According to their evaluation, John’s ministry had been too ascetic while Jesus’ ministry had been too indulgent. Jesus warned that if they continued to find fault with what God was accomplishing through John as well as through the one John had come to introduce, they placed themselves in great danger. Continuing skepticism could result in their missing out on the offer of eternal life which God was graciously making available for all who trust in the Son.