-THE LIFE OF CHRIST - THE GALILEAN MINISTRY

-Jesus Speaks Concerning John

-Luke 7:24-35, Matt 11:7-19

-After John’s messengers departed, Jesus spoke to the multitude concerning John.

     -He asked them some rhetorical questions.  Was John a weak man (a reed shaken in the
      wind)?  No.  He was a strong man who boldly proclaimed his message.  Was John a luxurious
      man dressed in fine clothes?  No.  They were not attracted to John because of his outward
      appearance (Matt 3:4) but because of his message – his preparation for the Lord.  Was John
      a prophet?  Yes.

     -Jesus gives great commendation regarding John saying that he “was much greater than a
      prophet” and that “there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist”.

     -Obviously, Jesus alleviated any questioning, doubt and/or criticism about John and his inquiry.

-Don’t miss something of great significance here.  After highly commending John, Jesus said,
 “…but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he”.

     -John had prepared the way for the Lord and the establishment of the prophesied kingdom
      (the church).  However, John was not a part of the kingdom.  He died before it was
      established.  John, in his exalted role, was less privileged than those who are a part of the
      church.

     -“The dispensations rise like lofty steps, and the lowest that stand upon the New Testament

    dispensation are lifted above the tallest who rest upon the dispensation of Moses”
      (McGarvey/Pendleton, pg 283).

-Some of those present received the words of Jesus favorably – others unfavorably.

     -“The counsel of God was that the nation should be brought to repentance by John, that it
      might be saved by Jesus; but the Pharisees frustrated this plan so far as they were
      concerned, by their proud refusal to repent.  All who followed their example shared their
      unhappy success.  It is noteworthy that Jesus emphasized baptism as the test as to whether
      men justify or reject God’s counsel” (McGarvey/Pendleton, pg 283).

-Jesus then used an example of children playing in the marketplace to describe the Jewish
 leadership. The children pretended to be in a wedding (“we have piped unto you”) but some
 wouldn’t play.  They then went to the other extreme and pretending to be in a funeral (“we
 have mourned to you”) but some again refused to participate.  Neither avenue sufficed them.

     -In regards to John’s way of life, the Jewish leaders accused him of being possessed with a
      demon “for they said…no man would live as he lived if he were not possessed…” (Boles,
      pg 157).  Yet, they were not any more pleased with Jesus but also made accusations against
      Him.  “Neither mode of life would satisfy them; they were sulky, sour, and as unreasonable
      as a group of disagreeable children” (Boles, pg 157).

     -In regards to Jesus’ statement of “But wisdom is justified of her children”, Barnes says
      “The Saviour means that though that generation of Pharisees and fault-finders did not
      appreciate the conduct of John and himself, yet the 'wise,' the candid-those who understood
      the reasons of their conduct-would approve of and do justice to it.”