When God Says …
“But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they which are gorgeously appareled, and live delicately, are in kings' courts.” (Luke 7:25 KJV).
The Lord Jesus introduces another probable but unlikely option in regard with defining the character and nature of John the Baptist. He presents another rhetorical question: ‘when the people went out to see John, what did they expect?’ Literally, the people did not go out to the back-county to watch wild plants swaying with the wind (Luke 7:24) nor did they go to see a celebrity dressed in stylish, pricy, and exotic fashion. They meet a man who wears clothes made of camel hair tied with leather belt (Mark 1:6). John's self-restraint sets up the Lord’s narrative of the people’s assertion in regards with contrasting differences between John and Himself in upcoming passages.
It can be surmised that the Lord Jesus is using the reed as metaphor, revealing the reed as representation of the unreliable, the easily swayed and tossed by the wind like the wave of the sea (James 1:6) or tossed to and pro by doctrines of men (Ephesians 4:14). He could be referring to those people with power and money - those who wear extravagant, psychedelic and fine robes, like the priests (Exodus 39:24), or kings in palaces that wear majestic attires (1 Chronicles 15:27; 2 Chronicles 5:12), or courtiers with fancy "blings", cosmetics and perfumes (Esther 8:15). The Lord Jesus' audience, many of whom baptized by John the Baptist, did not go into the wilderness to see an honored nobleman or a leader of a religious enterprise. They went to see a prophet—a prophet whose lifestyle was so austere and whose message so sharp and true that many of the religious, and powerful in society rejected him (Luke 3:19–20; 7:30; 7:33).
Truth hurts, especially to the arrogant. Without humility in the spirit, hence devoid of wisdom from God, such a proud person couldn’t grasp heavenly truths. The message of John the Baptist is pure and true that many in the world, especially the powerful and the religious, reject. But, thanks for the Lord’s grace! As we humble, untangle from the grips of religion and the world, believe and receive His Lordship by His grace through faith, our hearts are opened and able to receive His gift of salvation. Again, this is not because of us and by our efforts, nor by following religious rituals, but by grace through faith in Christ Jesus. Now, we have Him - the Spirit of Truth is in us, as the Lord Jesus said these assuring words: “even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.” (John 14:17 ESV).
And I say, AMEN!
Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries
When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.
Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment