(Text and Audio)
Title: The Sad State of “This Generation”
The state of the union address with the Browns and the upcoming draft. Nobody is ever brutally honest to public, but Jesus was.
- This Generation Has No Ears to Hear
Jesus, speaking directly concerning the Jews, in verses 16 and 17 laments the fact that despite both John the Baptist’s and Jesus’ efforts to engage them as companions, the Jews wanted nothing to do with these men.
Jesus compares the ministry of himself and John to a scene which would have been familiar to everyone who could hear his voice.
He describes a scene in which the children are out in the marketplace and they are inviting the other children to join them in their play.
“We played the flute for you and you did not dance.”
These others wanted no such companionship, they wanted no such fellowship, they were not interested in rejoicing with these other children. Whatever was making them play the flute, whatever was making them rejoice, whatever caused them to dance, there was no interest in companionship, or fellowship.
“We mourned to you, and you did not lament.”
Also we see Jesus mention that this was not just a companionship predicated on joyful bliss, but also one predicated on the bearing of one another’s sorrows. I think there is a subtle and important point that Jesus makes about the invitation to Christian fellowship here.
For we all have had friends that are more than willing to come to our parties, come to our cookouts, visit at holidays, celebrate weddings…but these friends are strangely absent at funerals, they are nowhere to be found when the news comes that cancer has visited out homes, or when there is tragedy.
In modern language, I would say there is a difference between a buddy and a friend. A buddy will lend you his truck. A friend will help you move.
But in Jesus’ example here, neither is taking place.
Let me describe it for you this way:
What would you call someone who you always send invitations to for your Christmas party, your 4th of July cookout, your Superbowl party, and they never show up, they never respond? And this same person, though you know they are well aware of your situation at home, never calls to offer their condolences when your loved one passes away, when you you lose your job, or you home?
Well, I don’t know that we could readily agree on what to call them…but I think we could all agree this morning that what we would certainly NOT call them is a friend, or a companion.
POINT: Jesus defines “this generation” of Jews as a people who heard a clear invitation, but simply were not interested in that type of companionship
- We Couldn’t Win With You
In verses 18 and 19 Jesus furthers the idea that this generation had no ears to hear his message when he explains the criticisms levied against John and then Jesus.
John abstained from everyday life practices and they called him possessed by a demon.
Jesus points out that John was admittedly different. He lived in the wilderness. His diet was strange, his clothing was strange. His words were confounding.
Essentially, they attempted to discredit John because he was different. He was not like them.
But then Jesus comes and he does eat and drink, he does all the things that a normal, everyday person would do and they attack him for that. They call him a glutton and a drunk, and an associate of sinners.
Essentially, they attempted to discredit Jesus because he was too much like them. He wasn’t different enough.
POINT: Our testimonies must be rooted in the Truth of Scripture and the Power of the Holy Spirit…otherwise people will find ways to discredit the message on the basis of an inferior messenger.
Listen, two men were used instrumentally the night I was saved 16 years ago. One of them is a pastor whom I still admire today. The other…well, let’s just say this: within 6 months of me being saved, sadly, I had surpassed him in every aspect spiritual maturity.
Why do I share that?
Because if I was only responding to the messenger, I could have very easily discredited that second man on the basis of his lack of consistency and maturity in what he claimed to believe. But I wasn’t responding to him. I was responding to the Holy Spirt.
- Jesus’ Answer
I don’t know how Jesus actually spoke the last part of verse 19. We only have a written record and not an audio file of how this conversation went down. But I would not be surprised if Jesus’ tone was something like this:
“That’s okay…wisdom is justified by her children…”
What is Jesus saying with that cryptic statement?
I believe he’s saying that the proof of his words will be proven in his disciples. Jesus’ followers will ultimately show whether Jesus was really a prophet or not. Jesus will be justified by whether or not his words changed people.
Essentially he says, “You know my disciples. If I’m a fraud, their lives will be ruinous. But if I’m authentic, their lives will change others’ lives. And those people’s lives will change other’s lives. And what you think of me will change the world.
Did Jesus’ words change people?
More than any other man’s words in the history of the universe.
We believe we are saved based on what?
Whether or not we believe and confess that what Jesus’ said was true.
Truly, no man has ever been more justified by his followers that Jesus Christ.