God’s Word of Life
Introduction
Luke 7:18-35: John the Baptist sends messengers to ask Jesus if he is the long-awaited Messiah. Jesus tells them to report to John what they have seen and heard. Then Jesus tells the crowd that John is a prophet and the forerunner sent by God. Jesus compares those who doubt to a group of quarreling children, saying that some don’t agree with John’s ways because they are too strict, yet they don’t like Jesus’s ways because they aren’t strict enough.
Scripture Reading
The Messengers from John the Baptist
(Matthew 11.2-19)
18When John’s disciples told him about all these things, he called two of them 19and sent them to the Lord to ask him, “Are you the one John said was going to come, or should we expect someone else?”
20When they came to Jesus, they said, “John the Baptist sent us to ask if you are the one he said was going to come, or should we expect someone else?”
21At that very time Jesus healed many people from their sicknesses, diseases, and evil spirits, and gave sight to many blind people. 22 He answered John’s messengers, “Go back and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind can see, the lame can walk, those who suffer from dreaded skin diseases are made clean, the deaf can hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is preached to the poor. 23How happy are those who have no doubts about me!”
24After John’s messengers had left, Jesus began to speak about him to the crowds: “When you went out to John in the desert, what did you expect to see? A blade of grass bending in the wind? 25What did you go out to see? A man dressed up in fancy clothes? People who dress like that and live in luxury are found in palaces! 26Tell me, what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes indeed, but you saw much more than a prophet. 27 For John is the one of whom the scripture says: ‘God said, I will send my messenger ahead of you to open the way for you.’ 28I tell you,” Jesus added, “John is greater than anyone who has ever lived. But the one who is least in the Kingdom of God is greater than John.”
29 All the people heard him; they and especially the tax collectors were the ones who had obeyed God’s righteous demands and had been baptized by John. 30But the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law rejected God’s purpose for themselves and refused to be baptized by John.
31Jesus continued, “Now to what can I compare the people of this day? What are they like? 32They are like children sitting in the marketplace. One group shouts to the other, ‘We played wedding music for you, but you wouldn’t dance! We sang funeral songs, but you wouldn’t cry!’ 33John the Baptist came, and he fasted and drank no wine, and you said, ‘He has a demon in him!’ 34The Son of Man came, and he ate and drank, and you said, ‘Look at this man! He is a glutton and wine drinker, a friend of tax collectors and other outcasts!’ 35God’s wisdom, however, is shown to be true by all who accept it.”
Today’s Key Verse: Luke 7:35
[Jesus said:] “God’s wisdom, however, is shown to be true by all who accept it.”
Reflect
How does Jesus respond to John’s messengers? What does his response indicate about his mission and ministry? Jesus says to John’s messengers, “Happy are those who have no doubts about me!” (verse 23). If someone were to ask you about your faith in Jesus, what answer would you give?
Pray
Lord Jesus, I have no doubts about you, and I believe you are the promised Messiah who has come into the world to bring the Good News of God’s love and salvation. In my faith journey, open my eyes and ears to see and hear what you would have me learn. Speak to me and, by the power of your Holy Spirit, may I discern your will. In your holy name, I pray. Amen.
Tomorrow’s Reading
Luke 7:36-50: A woman washes Jesus’s feet with her tears.