Scripture: Luke 7:18-35
Jesus and John the Baptist
18 John’s disciples told him about all these things. Calling two of them, 19 he sent them to the Lord to ask, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”
20 When the men came to Jesus, they said, “John the Baptist sent us to you to ask, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?’”
21 At that very time Jesus cured many who had diseases, sicknesses and evil spirits, and gave sight to many who were blind. 22 So he replied to the messengers, “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. 23 Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”
24 After John’s messengers left, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? 25 If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear expensive clothes and indulge in luxury are in palaces. 26 But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 27 This is the one about whom it is written:
“‘I will send my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way before you.’
28 I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”
29 (All the people, even the tax collectors, when they heard Jesus’ words, acknowledged that God’s way was right, because they had been baptized by John. 30 But the Pharisees and the experts in the law rejected God’s purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John.)
31 Jesus went on to say, “To what, then, can I compare the people of this generation? What are they like? 32 They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling out to each other:
“‘We played the pipe for you,
and you did not dance;
we sang a dirge,
and you did not cry.’
33 For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’ 34 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ 35 But wisdom is proved right by all her children.”
Observation:
29 (All the people, even the tax collectors, when they heard Jesus’ words, acknowledged that God’s way was right, because they had been baptized by John. 30 But the Pharisees and the experts in the law rejected God’s purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John. - Luke 7:29-30
Have you ever wondered why the Pharisees and the experts in the law were so against Jesus? I believe we have a clue in the above two verses.
Even the tax collectors were baptized by John’s baptism of repentance preparing the way for them to fully accept God’s way. John was sent to prepare the way of the Lord, but the Pharisees and the experts in the law did not see their own need for repentance and therefore believed that they were righteous on their own.
No one is ever righteous on their own accord, we are all in need of a Savior. The Pharisees and the teachers of the law had hardened their own hearts toward Jesus, by not admitting their own need of repentance.
Application:
Since we are all in need of a Savior, we need to submit our own wills to our Heavenly Father’s will. Even Jesus, although he was sinless and perfect, still submitted himself to a baptism of repentance, accepting his Father’s will above his own. We are wise when we follow Jesus and submit our wills to our Father’s will for our lives.
Prayer:
Father God, you know the plans that you have made for us, plans not to harm us but to give us a hope and a future. Bless us as your children to submit our lives to the Lordship of your Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus. Work your will in us through the power and the presence of your Holy Spirit, as we walk in the ways that you have planned for us. Grant us the will to put our faith into action, all to your Glory, Amen!