Luke 3.18-20 finds John the Baptist speaking truth to power (Herod) and being placed in prison. John is still in prison when we read of today’s account, and of his messengers coming to inquire as to whether Jesus was “the one who is to come”. There are many ways these 18 verses can strike you as you read -- a lot is said that paints a picture of the human condition. What strikes us is the firmness and hardness of Jesus’ posture in this reading. He knows John is in prison, likely hurting by the suddenness of his ministry being hobbled. Jesus doesn’t speak to John’s disciples in soft, reassuring tones. He speaks to Him as God come down in human form and sends Him signs and a message he can feel.

Jesus ends the passage by insulting the Pharisees who loved the law more than Him and lifting up those who received the power of God’s Spirit.

The passage says a lot about the human condition. But as you read today, see between the lines. If you count yourself a disciple of Christ, as a talmid, as someone who aspires to have the Spirit of God to enable you to do great works in His name...put yourself in John’s shoes, and put yourself in the people’s shoes, and put yourself in the Pharisees shoes and see all the things Christ commands us to: faith even in hard times, a look heavenward for any sign of our own future “greatness”, and eyes always fixed on the things of heaven.

[Luke 7.18-35]

18 The disciples of John reported all these things to him. And John, 19 calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to the Lord, saying, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” 20 And when the men had come to him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to you, saying, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?’” 21 In that hour he healed many people of diseases and plagues and evil spirits, and on many who were blind he bestowed sight. 22 And he answered them, “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to them. 23 And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”

24 When John's messengers had gone, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 25 What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who are dressed in splendid clothing and live in luxury are in kings' courts. 26 What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 27 This is he of whom it is written,

“‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face,

who will prepare your way before you.’

28 I tell you, among those born of women none is greater than John. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” 29 (When all the people heard this, and the tax collectors too, they declared God just, having been baptized with the baptism of John, 30 but the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected the purpose of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him.)

31 “To what then shall I compare the people of this generation, and what are they like? 32 They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another,

“‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance;

we sang a dirge, and you did not weep.’

33 For John the Baptist has come eating no bread and drinking no wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’ 34 The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ 35 Yet wisdom is justified by all her children.”

[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn?

+ In vv. 24-27, what does Jesus do to strengthen John the Baptist?

+ Do you believe in the power of the Spirit of Christ Jesus to do these same things for those who you are walking with?

+ What does v. 28 tell us about holiness and about where we are going versus the “kingdom” we live in right now? What does it say about John the Baptist’s -- and any man’s -- sin condition even though He was set apart by God?

+ In v. 29, the people who had been baptized by John had spiritual knowledge that the religious law-keepers did not. What do you think blocked them from being baptized into Christ’s Spirit?

+ In response to the Pharisees’ hardness of heart, Jesus says “they are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another”. What are they relying on that leaves them ultimately powerless children, of no usefulness in the Kingdom of God?

+ We know that He also uses the phrase “little children” to speak to His disciples. Why is it a term of scorn in one instance, and a term of endearment when He is talking to His disciples?

[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to action/obedience?

+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?

+ John the Baptist was beloved by God, and yet Jesus responded with a certain hardness at what was likely some wavering faith (“Why am I in jail if You are the promised Messiah, and I was doing Your will?”). What does this mean for you when you face trials or interruptions that could rightly (based on human frailty) prevent you from serving God? Are your circumstances -- good or bad -- part of your ministry or a roadblock that stops you from the mission of spreading the Good News?

[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus?

+ What is my next step?

+ Are you being discipled or seeking disciples? If you aspire to either path at this point in your life, how might you take the next step, and how might you invite Christ’s Spirit to walk with you?