Lifestyle Choices
How are we to live?
There is a contrast in the way John the Baptist and Jesus live their lives, resulting in both being insulted for different reasons.
John is what you would expect an ‘Old Testament style’ prophet to be like. He is like Elijah, with an extreme lifestyle to match his message. He had a very clear purpose that dominated every aspect of his life. He was not swayed from his path of preparing the way for Jesus. This meant living in wild places without any luxuries. The message brought by John is set out in Luke chapter 3, a call to repentance, turning from a busy but ultimately pointless way of living, to give room for Jesus to bring a new fulfilling way of life. He is the baptiser, speaking about dying to enable resurrection, new life.
John would seem to fit well into a funeral context, with fasting, the singing of dirges and weeping. In contrast, at this time Jesus seems to be enjoying a wedding party. John comes from an isolated wilderness to speak. Jesus spends his time socialising in homes within towns and speaking to the people living there.
Is one a right way of living and the other wrong? The religious leaders thought both were wrong. However, these religious leaders lived a life of pretence, as hypocrites, presenting a way of living in the open that they did not live up to in reality. Both John and Jesus had integrity and a clear purpose in the way they lived. We can learn from both but which should we be like?
Although many people in the church sometimes appear to be like John, the passage is clear in stating that he was the last of the breed. We are to follow Jesus not John. Jesus redefines the meaning of a prophet. Prophets become the foundations of the church, shaping the church into demonstrating the Kingdom of God.
What is the evidence for the Kingdom of God today?
John wanted some evidence for re-assurance. The response from Jesus is that it can be seen and heard. When challenged about Jesus, his kingdom and it's relevance today, the same response applies.
The 'gospel' is heard. Gospel is the good news about Jesus, explaining who he is, what he has done for us and it's eternal relevance. This is unique, only the Son of God brings salvation. We can introduce people to him.
This is supported by what is seen. Jesus demonstrated signs that no-one else could, such as raising a dead child in the middle of a funeral procession with just a few words. The church is to demonstrate the Kingdom of God. This is unique and shall stand out within society in the way it expresses the life of Jesus.
Resurrection life is an essential element to this demonstration, not just providing future hope but through radically changed lives and relationships in the present.
Even in a sceptical age there is room for miracles as signs of God's Kingdom. We need to be open to God using these in a way that will have the desired impact of increasing faith not scepticism.
When we introduce people to Jesus they can choose whether to get to know him or reject him. Jesus recognises this by saying "Blessed is he who does not take offence at me".
The advice from Jesus is to follow him around for a while to see what he does and hear what he says. His hope is that we decide to continue to follow him. Through people who follow him, the same opportunity is to be made available today.
Background
Luke chapter 7 verses 18 to 35 - The disciples of John reported to him about all these things. Summoning two of his disciples, John sent them to the Lord, saying, "Are you the expected one, or do we look for someone else?" When the men came to him, they said, "John the Baptist has sent us to you, to ask, 'Are you the expected one, or do we look for someone else?' "At that very time he cured many people of diseases and afflictions and evil spirits; and he gave sight to many who were blind. And he answered and said to them, "Go and report to John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have the gospel preached to them. "Blessed is he who does not take offence at me." When the messengers of John had left, he began to speak to the crowds about John, "What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? But what did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Those who are splendidly clothed and live in luxury are found in royal palaces! But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and one who is more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written, 'Behold I send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.' I say to you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet he who is least in the Kingdom of God is greater than he."
When all the people and the tax collectors heard this, they acknowledged God's justice, having been baptized with the baptism of John. But the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected God's purpose for themselves, not having been baptized by John. "To what then shall I compare the men of this generation, and what are they like? They are like children who sit in the market place and call to one another, and they say, 'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not weep.' For John the Baptist has come eating no bread and drinking no wine, and you say, 'He has a demon!' The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, 'Behold, a gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' Yet wisdom is vindicated by all her children."
There is a contrast in the way John the Baptist and Jesus live their lives resulting in both being insulted for different reasons (chapter 7 verses 33,34).
John is what you would expect an ‘Old Testament style’ prophet to be like. He is like Elijah (Malachi chapter 4 verse 5; Luke chapter 1 verse 17; 1 Kings chapter 17), with an extreme lifestyle to match his message.
He was not swayed from his path (chapter 7 verses 24 to 27) of preparing the way for Jesus.
John would seem to fit well into a funeral context (chapter 7 verses 29 to 35), with fasting, the singing of dirges and weeping. In contrast, Jesus seems to be enjoying a wedding party. John comes from an isolated wilderness to speak.
Is one a right way of living and the other wrong? The religious leaders thought both were wrong (chapter 7 verse 30). However, these religious leaders lived a life of pretence, as hypocrites, presenting a way of living in the open that they did not live up to in reality (chapter 11 verses 37 to 41).
Prophets become the foundations of the church (Ephesians chapter 2 verse 20), shaping the church into demonstrating the Kingdom of God.
John wanted some evidence for re-assurance. The response (Luke chapter 7 verse 22) from Jesus is that it can be seen and heard.
Jesus demonstrated signs that no-one else could, such as raising a dead child in the middle of a funeral procession with just a few words (chapter 7 verse 14). The church is to demonstrate the Kingdom of God. This ‘Kingdom' is unique and shall stand out within society in the way it expresses the life of Jesus (Acts chapter 2 verses 43 to 47).
Resurrection life is an essential element to this demonstration (chapter 7 verse 22), not just providing future hope but through radically changed lives and relationships in the present.
When we introduce people to Jesus they can choose whether to get to know him or reject him. Jesus recognises this by saying "Blessed is he who does not take offence at me" (chapter 7 verse 23).
The advice from Jesus is to follow him around for a while to see what he does and hear what he says (chapter 7 verse 22).