Matthew 11:16-19
‘“But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces, who call out to the other children, and say, ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a song of mourning, and you did not mourn.’ For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon!’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Behold, a gluttonous man and a heavy drinker, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ And yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.”
The opinion of the world and supposed religious people can be fickle. These do not know God. They may be very intelligent. Unfortunately having a high iq and much training can be foolish if not born again. Romans 1:21 speaks of this, “For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts.” In God is wisdom. If one rejects God the light gets dimmed.
People glory in their wisdom and understanding. I would agree that they seem smart. Unfortunately that is based in pride. That was Satan’s sin. He was so impressed with himself that he thought he could take God’s place (Isaiah 14:13,14). Pride has a hypnotizing affect. Satan fell for it as do many.
God intends His message to be simple enough for a child to understand. This offends the prideful ones. 2 Kings 5 has the story of Naaman being healed of leprosy. The prophet told him to wash in the Jordan and he would be healed. This offended him and he refused to do it. He saw himself a great man and this simple act in an unimpressive river was embarassing. His servant pointed this out. He obeyed and was healed. The simplicity of the gospel offends many. It’s what common people believe. There is nothing elite about it. Like Naaman they would rather stay in their sick state.
I Corinthians 2:14 shares an interesting truth, “The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.” Unbelievers don’t understand God and His ways. He does reach out to all to draw them to Him. Many times in each life. It’s not loud and flashy and all spelled out as from God. But a drawing message none the less.
Isaiah 55:8,9 continues on with that point, ‘“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways.”‘ That is so interesting. There are parallel worlds existing side by side and unbelievers aren’t aware of it. God’s kingdom is here, not in it’s fulness, but here. Evil and it’s powers are also here without their knowledge. That’s why we need to be so independent on Him for insight, guidance and help.
This shows the silliness of Jesus’ point. The pharisees were acting all high and mighty as they questioned Him and John, yet, they were as foolish children mocking the ones whom they thought they were serving.
God’s ways are humble and lowly. As simple for a child to understand. God hates pride. Many times in scripture does He make that point. Which is crazy as He is the most brilliant and has everything to be proud of. Yet He chooses to be humble. Jesus, the Son of God, came born in a manger, visited by shepherds. He was raised in a town of poor repute and was raised by poor, common parents.
We are to be humble as well. Anything else is of arrogance. We aren’t to take the seats of honor, we aren’t to be “me first”, but to serve others and to bless them. Mark 9:35 says, ‘Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the last of all and the servant of all.”’ That is a point that the world does not get. Quite the opposite. But they don’t understand God’s ways.
Matthew 11:25 says, ‘At that time Jesus declared, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.”‘ Thank You, Lord, that You have revealed Yourself.
This has been quite a time focusing on God and His message, verses the world and what they think is important. Very different things. We praise You.