Monday, October 7, 2024

Today's Scripture
Luke 7:18–35

The disciples of John reported all these things to him. So John summoned two of his disciples and sent them to the Lord to ask, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” When the men had come to him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to you to ask, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?’” Jesus had just then cured many people of diseases, plagues, and evil spirits, and had given sight to many who were blind. And he answered them, “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have good news brought to them. And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.” When John’s messengers had gone, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? What then did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who put on fine clothing and live in luxury are in royal palaces. What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written, ‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’ I tell you, among those born of women no one is greater than John; yet the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” (And all the people who heard this, including the tax collectors, acknowledged the justice of God, because they had been baptized with John’s baptism. But by refusing to be baptized by him, the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected God’s purpose for themselves.) “To what then will I compare the people of this generation, and what are they like? 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 wailed, and you did not weep.’ For John the Baptist has come eating no bread and drinking no wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon’; the Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Nevertheless, wisdom is vindicated by all her children.” (NRSV)

Reflection

Jesus can’t catch a break in this “Parable of the Children in the Marketplace.”

Cue backdrop: As the story unfolds, Jesus had recently restored sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf, and cured evils and illnesses. Even so, John the Baptist, who was being held captive in the desert, sent two of his disciples to challenge Jesus with this astounding question: “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”

What a stunner, considering that John had declared to a crowd in Luke 3 “I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.” Wow. How the tide has temporarily turned. John is openly doubting whether Jesus is really “the one.”

The folks gathered are not happy with either John or Jesus. They dub John “a demon” and criticize Jesus for eating and drinking with his followers (what a tough crowd).

In frustration, he addresses them. “To what, then, can I compare the people of this generation? What are they like? 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.’”

In short, Jesus admonishes his people not to create expectations about how he should behave. What a formidable reminder that Jesus is in charge — not us. Our faith requires us to trust him, even during dark days when we find ourselves bewildered by our earthly journeys.

Prayer
Creator God, when I pray “Help my unbelief,” help me take comfort in knowing you are indeed the way, the truth, and the life. Amen.

Written by Betsy Storm, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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