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Weekly Message | August 30th, 2009
Passage: Luke 7:18-35
Key Verse(s): 28
Transitions! Changes! How can you shape yourself during times of rapid change? We all experience changes in this life. Some college freshmen are here, they are no longer high school students. Those who anticipate graduation as seniors, prepare for the next level of transition. However, we all pass through transitions. This week we learned about the news about the passing of Edward Kennedy. In a matter of time, old generations slowly and surely disappear; then a new generation takes over.
This passage is about changes, transition, and identity. Before Jesus came to preach, John the Baptist was very prominent among his people. He was so popular that many people wondered in their hearts whether John might possibly be the Christ. Now, in this passage, John is no longer active but locked up in a dark dungeon while Jesus’ ministry was at its climax. John sent a messenger to ask who Jesus really is. Jesus in response honored John. But this passage is more than a nice conversations between John and Jesus. Rather, it is about how to establish our position in this world before God.
First, “Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me” (18-23). When Jesus had started his ministry, King Herod put John in prison because John rebuked his sinful life style. (Mk 1:14) Probably, more than one year had passed and John was still in a dark prison. With little ventilation anyone could become sick and weak after staying in an underground dungeon for a couple of months. John’s faithful disciples came to him often and reported to him what was going on. However, the center of John’s attention, even while in prison, was Jesus. John wanted to hear about Jesus and His ministry more than anything else.
Look at verse 19: “he sent them to the Lord to ask, ‘Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?’” At this time John was asking this simple question, “Who is Jesus?” His entire life was to live for Jesus. Now, he is asking if it was right for him to speak and live for Jesus. John’s relationship with Jesus started from his birth. At his birth his father, Zechariah, predicted that he would prepare the way of Jesus. He started his ministry with the mission to be the forerunner of Jesus. He knew Jesus personally. He baptized Jesus in the Jordan River. He sent some of his key disciples (e.g., Andrew and John) to Jesus. He said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29) One time he said to his disciples, “The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him...He must become greater; I must become less.” (Jn 3:29-30) John knew too well that Jesus would increase while he would decrease.
Jesus could have answered very clearly, “Well, I am the Savior of the world that the Bible prophesied.” No, that was not what Jesus said. Look at verse 22: “So he replied to the messengers, ‘Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.” Jesus quoted the words of Isaiah. He simply referred to the work of the Savior. Then Jesus told them to examine his work with the prophecies of the Bible. At that very time Jesus cured many who had diseases, sicknesses, evil spirits, and gave sight to many who were blind. (21) Jesus allowed them to study the Scriptures, examine the work of Christ carefully, and finally make their own conclusion.
Look at verse 23: “Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me.” These are Jesus’ words of promise which also contain a warning. First, Jesus’ warning is that it is possible for anyone to fall away on account of Jesus. If anyone falls away (even John the Baptist), it is because of Jesus. John was suffering not because of his sins, but because of Christ. Do you know that anyone can fall away at one time or another? Jesus is Christ. He is the Lord. He is powerful. He is loving. Then, why do people fall away because of Jesus? We hear about the great and powerful miracles of Jesus in the Bible. We may learn about his work on behalf of others. But the question is, “How about me? Where is God when it hurts? Where is God when I am in bad shape?” Like John some of us feel that in spite of all our devotion to God, situations do not get better but get worse. At these times we stumble and fall on account of Jesus. Jesus is no longer relevant. What we know about Christ does not make any real difference in our lives. Many students enjoy their freedom and independence. It is during college years that many fall away. Many no longer are interested in spiritual things. Many choose life styles that are openly in conflict with Jesus’ teachings.
But these are also Jesus’ words of promise. Jesus did not make any promise of a supernatural rescue mission. Jesus blessed John who would not fall away. Jesus gave the greatest gift to John--great affirmation in the moment of seemingly great failure. Jesus was mindful of John. Jesus clearly said that the mighty work of God was going on through Jesus. At the same time, this is about everyone. If we do not fall away in time of real spiritual crisis, we are blessed. We all may not have problems believing what Jesus did─all the miracles, wonders, and caring love for all people. The problem is to relate this powerful Christ to our personal circumstances. Jesus says, “Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me.” Do not fall away. Do not fall away on account of Jesus. Rather, be prepared to shape up! Build up! Grow up! Now let’s see how we can do that!
Second, “the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than John” (24-28). After John’s disciples left, Jesus began to speak about John to the crowd. John could die in peace knowing full well that Jesus, the Savior of the world, was carrying out the work of God. Yet, it was important for the crowd to know about the true greatness of John. In a sense, to know John was to know Christ. Why? Those who accepted and welcomed John could welcome Jesus; those who rejected John also rejected Jesus. (29-30)
Jesus first told the crowd who John was not. A reed is a kind of tall grass that grows especially in wet areas. A reed is easily broken. A reed is easily swayed by the wind. So figuratively, a reed refers to a man with very little spiritual conviction who blows away with every wind of worldly influence. John was not seeking worldly honor like the rich and ruthless man Herod. Jesus’ point was clear: John was neither a reed (i.e., wimp) nor a rich fool (e.g., King Herod).
Look at verse 28a: “I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John.” According to Jesus, John was the greatest in history. Of course, Jesus put John higher than any heroes in the secular world like Alexander the Great and Caesar Augustus. Jesus placed John a lot higher and in a more prominent position than Abraham, Moses, David, and Daniel. Then in what sense was he great? John was a prophet. John was more than a prophet. (26) All other great prophets before John (e.g., Moses, Elijah, Isaiah, etc.) prepared the way for Jesus from a far distance. John saw Jesus face to face. John was very close to Jesus. He was born six months before Jesus Christ. His mother, Elizabeth, was the aunt of Mary, the mother of Jesus. John was powerful in words and action. His preaching moved sinners’ hearts. Throughout, John was God’s messenger ahead of Jesus, who prepared the way before Christ Jesus (Mal 3:1). This special mission for Jesus made John the greatest among all.
What can we learn from Jesus? Jesus honored John. Jesus appreciated his work. Jesus picked up the work where John left off. Jesus was building and extending the work of John. This is life. If we accomplish anything meaningful in this life, we do so because we all have John the Baptists in our lives. We are not alone. We build on others’ lives and work before us. Christian churches in the 21st Century build on the work and lessons of the past 2,000 years of Christian churches. Immediately speaking, we all have our own John the Baptists who went ahead of us. We are here because of our parents. We are here because of the mentors who have led us in Christ Jesus. We do not despise those who went ahead of us. We honor them. We learn from them. We build up beyond what they have left. So if you would like to build something new, do not despise but respect something that is old.
Look at verse 28b: “yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” Here, Jesus proclaims the arrival of the new age. Here, “in the kingdom of God” means heaven─our eternal dwelling place. In another sense, “the kingdom of God” refers to Jesus. Wherever Jesus is, there is the kingdom of God. Therefore, the one who is least in the kingdom of God may mean the one who is the least disciple of Jesus. Here, Jesus also made it clear that he is different from John. The coming of Jesus signifies a new period in history. In fact, his coming has amazing impact on all people—from the greatest to the least. Because of Jesus, the one that is the least in the kingdom of God is greater than John. Here, Jesus affirms the great possibilities of the present and the future that was unfolding through him.
People experience greater glory because of the different periods that they live in. Some people believe that this world will get worse and worse until Jesus’ Second Coming. As we study history, it is wrong to assume that no progress has ever been made during the past thousands of years. Is it true that the world will simply get worse—never become better? People worry about the demise of the USA. This country, once the most productive and powerful country in the world, is suffering from huge budget and trade deficits. We all live on debts. Last week I was in Yalta, Ukraine where some of our friends prayed together for the unification of South and North Korea. The power of sin is still at work. This is not the Paradise but the fallen world. Evils are still dominant in some parts of the world. Even so, I am happy to live in this century. In spite of all the wonderful things that the Founding Fathers did, I would rather live in the present, not in the past. Most of all, it is great to live as a follower of Christ in this generation. This is my conclusion of seeing ancient buildings, arts, pictures of great people in Egypt, Israel, Greece, Rome, Turkey and many parts of the world. Why? We live in this world which has more opportunities and challenges than any other time in history.
After the coming of Christ ordinary sinners share the greater glory of God through Christ. They know more about the secret of the kingdom of God. In Christ Jesus we sinners attain God’s salvation that all the great people in history had only imagined about. In addition, our mortal bodies will be clothed with immortal and glorious bodies in the kingdom of God. (1Co 15:42-43)
Our greatness in the kingdom of God primarily depends on Jesus Christ. We are great because we belong to a new period of God’s grace. If we desire to accomplish something real for Christ and his kingdom, the first step is to accept our great position in the kingdom of God. Accept this time and place as the best to serve Christ and grow up. No matter how poor we may be, we will never be less than the least in the kingdom of God. This University of Toledo is not the best university in the world. But as we pray for this campus, this is the best institution in which we all can shape up, build up, and grow up.
Third, “But wisdom is proved right by all her children” (29-35). Here, in this section, Jesus characterizes the generation. At this time all kinds of people came to Jesus. Yet, only certain types of people believed in Jesus. Who were they? They were problem people of his time. The tax collectors and “sinners” (people who were somewhat weird with low reputations in the society) heard Jesus’ words and acknowledged that God’s way was right. That’s because they were baptized by John. John’s baptism was the baptism of repentance. On the other hand, many respectful people did not pay attention to Jesus and his teachings. Jesus described them as childish, immature, and unresponsive. They were like children sitting in the marketplace. In Jesus’ time children, not having many recreational facilities, usually gathered around in the market place. They tried to entertain themselves. So they played music to dance by. They pretended to have a funeral service. Yet, because of the lack of response and participation, nothing seemed to be working. (31-32) People were not responsive at all.
Many religious leaders unconditionally criticized John and Jesus. John was somewhat strict in his approach of religion. He was not really approachable. So they ridiculed him by saying, “He has a serious demon” Then, Jesus was too approachable. Jesus was happy to eat and drink with anyone. Jesus loved to engage with all types of people. He loved to eat and talk with any type of people. Then they criticized Jesus for being too open and too close to sinners. (33-34)
Bill Cosby said, “I do not know what the secret of success is, but I know the sure way of failure. That is to try to please everybody.” Jesus did not try to please everybody; yet, he was willing to serve those who loved him. Look at verse 35: “But wisdom is proved right by all her children.” Here, the emphasis is “all” of God’s children. All people are useful in leading us to know God’s wisdom. John the Baptist was the greatest. Yet, Jesus did not spend much time with him. Jesus spent time with tax collectors, the blind, sick people, and people with evil spirits. Jesus was “wasting” his time with such sinners. In doing so, Jesus demonstrated the truth that even the least in the kingdom of God is greater than John the Baptist. But amazingly such “humble” people readily acknowledge God and were entering the kingdom of God forcefully, while proud people kept rejecting God’s purpose in their lives. Jesus is happy to build up his “children.” In this life, this is also what we do. We build up our own “children” who take hold and grow up through our influences.
What is the ultimate wisdom of life? It is to choose our focus well. Do you choose to belong to Christ and his kingdom? This life is not meant to be nothing. This life is meant to be something. In this life we shape, build, and grow up. Then, we also shape, build, and grow up others with wisdom. In this life the great accomplishment is not merely living for ourselves alone. Rather, in the course of shaping, building, and growing up others; we become happy, wise, and blessed. Praise and thank God that we live in this place and now. If we belong to Christ and his kingdom, we know to whom we belong and where we are heading. Even if we may be the least, we are not the worst. We are better than John the Baptist who finished his life in prison. Instead, we have great possibilities and challenges because of Jesus. So accept who you are (i.e., the least in the kingdom of God). Affirm your possibilities (i.e., greater than those who went ahead of you). Most of all consider the impact you make on other people through Christ and his kingdom.
August 30, 2009; Dr. Paul Hong; Toledo, UBF.
Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.
