INTO THE WILDERNESS

Luke 7:24-35 / Keywords 7:24

After John's messengers left, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: "What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind?

 

7:24 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.’[b]

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.”

Footnotes

b. Luke 7:27 Mal. 3:1

1. Although John taught in the wilderness and by the Jordan river, many people came to him and later to Jesus from all over the Judean countryside to hear the good news of God's Kingdom. John preached repentance for the forgiveness of sins and prepared the way for Jesus. New hope and life were given to all who believed in their message.

2. Radical inclusivity marked Jesus' ministry. The sick, poor, unclean, and even notorious sinners were drawn to Jesus. It is because Jesus embraced and loved them.

3. The people most resistant to receive and accept John and Jesus were the religious leaders and teachers of the law. They could not change their minds about their own interpretation of what the Messiah should look like to them. They distorted reality based on their own ideas and agenda. They stayed in their comfort zone. In doing so, they rejected God's purpose for themselves and preserved their own shameful ways. Even now, we interpret and make our own image of Jesus to fit our politics and/or cultural norms excluding many whom Jesus would embrace. Yet the wisdom and grace of Jesus continues to advance in the unlikeliest of places.

Prayer Lord, we come to you out of our comfort zones and into the wilderness because you offer amazing grace and hope to all.

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