Luke 7:31–35 (ESV)
Messengers From John the Baptist (Part 3)
31 “To what then shall I compare the people of this generation, and what are they like? 32 They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one
another,
“ ‘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, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ 35 Yet wisdom is justified by all her children.”
When Jesus says: “To what then shall I compare the people of this generation”, he is talking about those who reject John the Baptist and Jesus. Jesus refers
to them as children sitting in the street with childish chatter. They chatter away:
“ ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance;
we sang a dirge, and you did not weep.’
Regarding this statement, The Lutheran Study Bible states that this proverbial saying is directed at those who criticized
both John for being too stern and Jesus for being too easygoing. They rejected both the Law’s condemnation of their sin and the Gospel’s mercy.
Jesus then contrasts the lives of John to Jesus.
He states: 33For John the Baptist has come eating no bread and drinking no wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’ 34The 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!’ 35Yet wisdom is justified by all her children.” I find humor in this statement because Jesus is basically saying that John didn’t
drink alcohol and Jesus did, although Jesus never drank to the point of drunkenness. John came wearing camel hair clothing and eating wild locust and honey. Jesus came eating with sinners and drinking alcohol. I guess if drinking alcohol
is sinful, then Jesus is a sinner. Right??? Wrong. Drinking alcohol is not sinful, but getting drunk is sinful. Well, no use in starting World War III, besides Paul says a little wine is good for the stomach. Whoops! What
I meant to say is that Jesus is often found eating with people, especially sinners. Wouldn’t it be nice to sit back and share a meal with Jesus.
I pray: O Lord, we know that those who reject
John the Baptist and Jesus have made a big mistake. Help us to reach out to all people, in a loving way, so that they may see Jesus in our actions. Help us to never get discouraged, but to keep on sharing the Gospel. Jesus is the fulfillment
of your Word. Thank you for your forgiveness and restoration. Amen.