Luke 7:24-35 - Jesus Commends John

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!