July 29, 2016
WHAT DO PEOPLE SEE WHEN THEY LOOK AT YOU?
Luke 7:18–35
Lisa Schubert
Central Truth
When the people went into the wilderness to see and hear John the Baptist, they saw a man unconcerned with his appearance and comfort, but instead deeply concerned about the people's need to repent and be saved. What do people see and hear from us?
Key Verse | Luke 7:24–27
. . . Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? . . . A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is he of whom it is written, 'Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.'" (Luke 7:24-27)
Luke 7:18–35
Messengers from John the Baptist
18 The disciples of John reported all these things to him. And John, 19 calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to the Lord, saying, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” 20 And when the men had come to him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to you, saying, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?’” 21 In that hour he healed many people of diseases and plagues and evil spirits, and on many who were blind he bestowed sight. 22 And he answered them, “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers 1 7:22 Leprosy was a term for several skin diseases; see Leviticus 13 are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to them. 23 And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”
24 When John's messengers had gone, Jesus 2 7:24 Greek he began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 25 What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who are dressed in splendid clothing and live in luxury are in kings' courts. 26 What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 27 This is he of whom it is written,
‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face,
who will prepare your way before you.’
28 I tell you, among those born of women none is greater than John. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” 29 (When all the people heard this, and the tax collectors too, they declared God just, 3 7:29 Greek they justified God having been baptized with the baptism of John, 30 but the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected the purpose of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him.)
31 “To what then shall I compare the people of this generation, and what are they like? 32 They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another,
‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance;
we sang a dirge, and you did not weep.’
33 For John the Baptist has come eating no bread and drinking no wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’ 34 The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ 35 Yet wisdom is justified by all her children.”
Dive Deeper | Luke 7:18–35
Let's start with a confession. I don't like the picture that is posted with this devotional. I couldn't make the training class, so they just used a picture they already had of me. Right away you realize that I can focus on unimportant things. Do you suppose John the Baptist ever worried about his appearance? I don't think so!
When I first read this passage, I was so struck that John's focus was always on what really mattered. He is in prison for speaking the truth to King Herod, and he sends his disciples to Jesus to ask Him if He is the Messiah. When he was in the wilderness preaching, he was focused on the people's need to repent, so they would recognize the Messiah when He came.
John was not focused on his appearance or his comfort. We are told he was dressed in a garment of camel's hair with a leather belt and was eating locusts and wild honey (Matthew 3:4).
When people left John, they had heard the truth about God's love for them and their need to repent. Read Matthew 3:5-12 for a sample of his teaching. He was no "reed shaken by the wind." He knew his purpose in life, and he never veered from it. He was here to proclaim the coming of the Lord.
What do people see and hear when they spend time with us? As followers of Christ, we have been given a purpose as well. Second Corinthians 5:20 tells us: "Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making His appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God."
My husband and I live in a high-rise building full of people who don't know Jesus. I know the Lord has called me to share Jesus with them. And I have—with some. My next-door neighbor trusted Christ recently, and we are rejoicing! But, often, I can get caught up in my own self: my comfort, my appearance, and other things that don't matter for eternity.
Our time is short, so make it count, like John.
Discussion Questions
1. If you asked close friends and family, what would they say is important to you?
2. What do people "see and hear" when they spend time with you?
3. If you have never put your trust in Jesus, will you be reconciled to God? John 1:12 tells us, "But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God."
4. If you have trusted in Jesus, will you be His ambassador, as John was, entreating others to be reconciled to God?