Luke 7:18-35
18 The disciples of John also reported to him about all these things.
19 And after summoning two of his disciples, John sent them to the Lord, saying, “Are You the Coming One, or are we to look for another?”
20 When the men came to Him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to You, to ask, ‘Are You the Coming One, or are we to look for another?’ ”
21 At that very time He cured many people of diseases and afflictions and evil spirits; and He gave sight to many who were blind.
22 And He answered and said to them, “Go and report to John what you have seen and heard: people who were blind receive sight, people who limped walk, people with leprosy are cleansed and people who were deaf hear, dead people are raised up, and people who are poor have the gospel preached to them.
23 And blessed is anyone who does not take offense at Me.”
24 When the messengers of John had left, He 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 But what did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Those who are splendidly clothed and live in luxury are found in royal palaces!
26 But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and one who is more than a prophet.
27 This is the one about whom it is written:
‘Behold, I am sending My messenger ahead of You,
Who will prepare Your way before You.’
28 I say to 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 When all the people and the tax collectors heard this, they acknowledged God’s justice, having been baptized with the baptism of John.
30 But the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected God’s purpose for themselves, not having been baptized by John.
31 “To what then shall I compare the people of this generation, and what are they like?
32 They are like children who sit in the marketplace and call to one another, and say, ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a song of mourning, and you did not weep.’
33 For John the Baptist has come neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon!’
34 The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Behold, a gluttonous man and a heavy drinker, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’
35 And yet wisdom is vindicated by all her children.”
Wavering John the Baptist
Wavering confidence
At that time, John the Baptist was in prison. He sent two of his disciples to ask, “Are You the Coming One, or are we to look for another?” (Luke 7:19). Why would John, who had already declared with certainty that Jesus is “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29), ask such a question? Two possible reasons can be considered: (1) The Messiah that John envisioned was one who would bring severe judgment (ref. Luke 3:16-17). (2) John, being in prison, was waiting for Jesus to set him free. But nothing happened. John was human very much like us. It is no surprise that one’s assurance might waver in a hopeless situation. Have you ever experienced a time when your confidence was shaken? When we lose sight of God’s greatness, our faith begins to falter. What we can see is only in part. Let us now acknowledge the limits of our understanding and confess our inner turmoil to our gracious God.
Jesus’ answer
Jesus gently received John’s question. Then He sought to show that the works of grace He was performing were the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. “Go and report to John what you have seen and heard: people who were blind receive sight, people who limped walk, people with leprosy are cleansed and people who were deaf hear, dead people are raised up, and people who are poor have the gospel preached to them” (v 22). This is a reference to passages such as Isaiah 35:5-6 and 61:1. Jesus then went on to say that John the Baptist is indeed “the greatest prophet” foretold in Malachi 3:1, and He praised him. Yet even John, He said, is lesser when compared to those who believe in Jesus and are made children of God. This is because John belongs to the Old Testament time, while those who believe in Jesus belong to the New Testament time. Christians, in Christ, have received every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places (Eph. 1:3). What amazing grace this is. Yet, both in the past and today, there are many people who choose not to receive that grace. Are you someone who walks in wisdom? Or are you like the children playing in the marketplace, controlled by a contrary spirit? Anyone who resists the voice of the Holy Spirit cannot be called wise. Let us now ask God for His wisdom.
Today's prayer
Gracious God, through the cross of Jesus Christ, we have been made recipients of every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. I thank You that You regard me as greater than John the Baptist. Please fill me with the wisdom of God. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.