In Luke 7, John the Baptist was having some doubts about
who Jesus was as he was sitting in prison, but Jesus, instead of criticizing
John, responds by commending him! What we think of ourselves, or what others
think of us, is not as important as what God thinks. Jesus waited until the
messengers had departed and then He publicly commended John for his ministry.
John the Baptist was not a compromiser, a reed blowing in
the wind (note Eph. 4:14); nor was he a popular celebrity, enjoying the
friendship of great people and the pleasures of wealth. John did not waver or
weaken, no matter what people did to him. John was not only a prophet, but he
was a prophet whose ministry was prophesied! (Isaiah 40:3 and Malachi 3:1) The
last of the Old Testament prophets, John had the great privilege as God's
messenger of introducing the Messiah to Israel. Interestingly, Jesus ranked
John higher than Moses and Samuel, higher than Elijah and Elisha, higher than
all the Major Prophets and the dozen Minor Prophets.
Then Jesus added, “But he who is least in the kingdom of
God is greater than he." How is the least person in the kingdom of God
greater than John? In position, not in character or ministry. John was the
herald of the King, announcing the kingdom; believers today are children of the
kingdom and the friends of the King (John 15:15). John demanded repentance;
Jesus demanded rebirth (John 3:3). Among those who are "born of God,"
the difference is not one of degree but of kind. The least person who is born
again, born of the Spirit, is greater than the greatest unregenerate person
alive. John's ministry was a turning point in both the nation's history and in
God's plan of redemption (Luke 16:16).
Luke 7:29-30 are the words of Jesus, not an explanation
from Luke (see Matthew 21:32). They answer the question some of the people were
asking, "If John is such a great prophet, why is he in prison?" The
answer is: because of the willful unbelief of the religious leaders. The common
people accepted John's message and were baptized by him as proof of their
repentance. They "justified God," which means they agreed with what
God said about them (Psalm 51:4). But the religious leaders justified
themselves (Luke 16:15), not God, and rejected John and his message.
In verses 31-35, Jesus condemns the Pharisees and religious
leaders and exposes the sinful hearts of those who rejected John's ministry. Jesus
compared that generation to people who were childish, not childlike, and
nothing pleased them. John was an individual who declared a stern message of
judgment, and they said, "He has a demon!" Jesus mingled with the
people and preached a gracious message of salvation, and they said, "He's
a glutton, a winebibber, and a friend of publicans and sinners!" They
wanted neither the funeral nor the wedding, because nothing pleased them.
People who want to avoid the truth about themselves can
always find something in the preacher to criticize. This is one way they "justify
themselves." But God's wisdom is not frustrated by the arguments of
the "wise and prudent." It is demonstrated in the changed lives of
those who believe. This is how true wisdom is "justified."
When we, as true “children of God”, by faith live out our
love for Jesus and others with God’s grace and the power and fruit of the Holy
Spirit we are “living proof” that God is right and His wisdom is justified!
God bless!
