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A Solemn Assessment

Text: Matthew 11 : 1 - 19

Jesus had worked very hard to teach the multitudes about the Kingdom of Heaven. Israel had never come across a Teacher or Preacher who could hold people spell-bound as He spoke. Then there were the mighty miracles He performed! There were so many of them and so varied that no one could accuse Him of fraud or deception.

How did the multitudes appreciate His life and ministry? Let us ponder this solemn assessment Jesus made concerning the cities He ministered at.

“But to what shall I liken this generation?
It is like children sitting in the marketplaces
And calling to their companions, and saying:
‘We played the flute for you,
And you did not dance;
We mourned to you,
And you did not lament.'”
Matthew 11:16-17

A WHOLE GENERATION

This assessment Jesus made, covered not just the cities He visited but the whole generation of Israel then. City after city, the responses were chillingly similar. Though the assessment was unflattering to Israel, His remarks were still marked by compassion. The multitudes were compared to naughty children who preferred to be contrary.

Children are alike all over the world. They invent their own games. In this analogy we catch a glimpse of the kind of games children played. This was a simple game that may be compared to our modern “Follow-the-leader” or even “Simple Simon says”. The sulky contrary children prefer to sit out the games than to participate. The whole generation, with some exceptions, was also proving to be very contrary!

REASONS FOR THIS ASSESSMENT

How did Jesus come up with this hard assessment? Let us note the following words He uttered.

“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,
‘Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend
of tax collectors and sinners!’ But wisdom
is justified by her children.”
Matthew 11:18-19

“For John came neither eating nor drinking…”

Jesus was still commenting on John the Baptiser! How could people have come up with the conclusion that he had a demon? Of course they also made a similar remark against Jesus (Cf. Matthew 9:34; 10:25). Their uncalled-for remarks showed them up for what they were deep down.

John had a marvelous preaching ministry. Droves of people flocked to hear this eccentric preacher who lived in the wilderness! Many were touched by his powerful sermons. But as many also rejected his ministry! We catch a glimpse of just how many there must have been who rejected John’s ministry!

If they had rejected this Elijah who was to come, then it would also follow that they would also reject the Person who came after Him!

“The Son of Man came eating and drinking…”

Jesus’ ministry and way of life stood in stark contrast to that of John’s in certain respects. Whereas John was almost ascetic, Jesus mixed freely with everyone. He befriended everyone! That also drew critical and snide remarks from His accusers!

Jesus was not feeling sorry for Himself when He made this remark. He knew that people, especially the religious leaders, spoke against Him for having fellowship with the riff-raff of society! How could He have taken as a disciple people like Matthew, a tax collector!

Did eating a meal with sinners make him a glutton? Did having wine as a normal part of having a meal make Him a “winebibber”? The remarks of His critics were cruelly construed to cast aspersions on His character, in the hope that His ministry would be marred.

“But wisdom is justified of her children…”

Jesus was of course quite unmoved by all these nasty remarks people made against Him. His ministry did not stand or fall because of the remarks made against Him. His own conscience was clear and clean and thus He was not personally affected or tainted by the remarks of His critics.

How do we understand this puzzling statement that Jesus made? Why did He make this particular statement? Let us ponder the following thoughts.

1. Two Sets of Opinions

We have two diametrically opposite sets of opinions here.

a) Opinion of the Jews concerning Jesus.

b) Opinion of Jesus concerning the Jews.

Who was right? The Jews convinced themselves that they were right in their assessment. Jesus was equally insistent that He was correct in His assessment of the Jews in His generation. Both could argue that they employed “wisdom” in their assessment.

2. The “children of wisdom”

Anybody may appeal to possession of wisdom! However, wisdom will prove itself by the children it bears! What kind of children did the wisdom of the Jews bear? What kind of children did the wisdom of Jesus bring forth? The answer should be obvious!