Day 31

Luke 7:24–35 (NIV)

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? 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.’

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 experts in the law rejected God’s purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John.)

³¹ “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 flute 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.”

Pray for God to show you something to use from the passage

Read the Passage

Who is in the passage?

What action verbs do you see?

What other words stick out in your mind

Questions

What made John the Baptist special?

How do you know where to find wisdom?

Are you the type that complains like the Jews in 31-32, never satisfied with how God works in life?

Notes

vs 24-26 Jesus asks three rhetorical questions about John the Baptist. What do you go to see (what made you go out to the desert and see John?) Matt 3:1-11 for John's story

· Reed swaying in the wind- reeds bend back and forth, John never wavered (like a reed) based on what was the popular thing. He stood for God alone.

· Man dressed in fine clothes- Not John, wore camel skin, not about his money or background-

· Prophet- reason they went. To hear his words and repent and be baptized

vs 27 Jesus agrees with the reason and adds - more than a prophet because he had the privilege of introducing the coming one (see Mal 3:1)

vs 28-least in the kingdom of God is greater than he Question whether this refers to Jesus or to those who become disciples because of Jesus .

For it to be the Jesus view the problem is the words least in the kingdom of God

· could mean younger not least

· least could refer to his servanthood in sense of denying Himself more than anybody else ever would Luke 22:27

For disciples of Jesus to be who Jesus is talking about then Jesus implying the time of the prophets is ending and a new era is beginning (see Matt 13:17) The power of Holy Spirit in those after Jesus is gone will surpass what the prophets were able to do (John 14:12)

vs 29-30 Editorial comment by Luke- shows the contrast between the people's belief in Jesus and John and the Pharisees. Pharisees saw no need to repent

vs 31-35 - could be a common saying- idea is when the children gather those that have a flute play happy music but the others didn't want to dance, then when they played funeral music they didn't want to morn. Idea is they are never satisfied

Jesus applies the metaphor to him and John. John never took drink, ate locusts and honey, and he fasts. Jesus eats regular food doesn't make disciples fast, eats with sinners. The Pharisees are not happy with either John or Jesus. Calling John demon possessed and Jesus a glutton and drunkard.

vs 35 - Pharisees do not recognize God is in both men. It doesn't matter what they think God will be proven right in the end (see Acts 5:38-39)