Messengers from John the Baptist

Topic: Confusion
Passage: Luke 7:18–35

October 22, 2019

Commentary

John the Baptist was cast into prison shortly after he introduced Christ to Israel. He was put there for speaking out against the adulterous relationship King Herod was having with his brother’s wife, Herodias. This time period can be outlined as follows:

  1. Confusion (vv. 18-20) – John knew what Jesus was doing because John’s own disciples had kept him informed. However, he began to entertain doubts and could not understand why Jesus did not declare His Messiahship and set up His kingdom. John’s doubts were natural, and Jesus didn’t rebuke him for them. Instead He responded in a way that John would understand.
  2. Confirmation (vv. 21-23) – In  order to get some answers John sent two of his disciples to Jesus. Jesus did not give these men a lecture on theology but instead invited them to watch as he healed the sick, cast out demons and gave sight to the blind. After they had seen the evidences of His power, He told them to return to John and tell him what they had seen.
  3. Commendation (vv. 24-30) – After John’s disciples had departed Jesus publicly commended John for his ministry. He told them how John was the prophet predicted by Isaiah (v. 27).
  4. Condemnation (vv. 31-35) – Following His commendation of John, the Lord gave a condemnation of that generation for refusing to accept either Himself or John. The Pharisees weren’t troubled by their inconsistency toward John and Jesus.. They were good at justifying themselves. Most of us can also find reasons to do or to believe whatever suits our purposes.

Application

We are all prone at times to feel that we have been neglected and forgotten because the Lord does not speak words of endorsement directly to us. But I can be assured that if I have sought to be faithful to Him, He will always approve me before the Father.

Luke 7:18– 35 (NET)

18 John’s disciples informed him about all these things. So John called two of his disciples 19 and sent them to Jesus to ask, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?” 20 When the men came to Jesus, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to you to ask, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?’” 21 At that very time Jesus cured many people of diseases, sicknesses, and evil spirits, and granted sight to many who were blind. 22 So he answered them, “Go tell John what you have seen and heard: The blind see, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have good news proclaimed to them. 23 Blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.”

24 When John’s messengers had gone, 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? 25 What did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Look, those who wear soft clothing and live in luxury are in the royal palaces! 26 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, ‘Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your 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 is.” 29 (Now all the people who heard this, even the tax collectors, acknowledged God’s justice, because they had been baptized with John’s baptism. 30 However, the Pharisees and the experts in religious law rejected God’s purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John.)

31 “To what then should I compare the people of this generation, and what are they like? 32 They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling out to one another, ‘We played the flute for you, yet you did not dance; we wailed in mourning, yet 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, ‘Look at him, a glutton and a drunk, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ 35 But wisdom is vindicated by all her children.”