Matthew 11; Verses 16-19

Continuing on in Matthew 11. Thank you for taking a look †

(Matthew 11:16-19) "But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows,

Christ is saying like little boys and girls who need to grow up they are always backwards in emotion needing to be teachable at and after belief and repentance, and able to grow up. Emotional intelligence begins at the cross. That's just common sense as well: As we are no longer guilty before God, living in the past, out of spite, bitter, selfish, revenge towards Him. Then other people (our neighbor).

17And saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented.

Sincerity, all in or all out. No "hokey pokey." The Lord does not like lukewarm sincerity and attitude.

Playing the musical instruments with no joy, no celebration towards the Lord. They said the song was dedicated to the Lord, but no one is having much fun. As dancing is supposed to be. An expression of freedom. But here they are just going through the motions, the heart or the mind is not in it.

We sang a sad love song, we sang songs of sadness. But not to the Lord first with deep remorse. Nothing wrong with them songs (in good taste) as there is a season for everything under the sun per Ecclesiastes 3. But very wrong with the wrong motives (like exchanging how God defines love for lust, as we see that is backwards).

18For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil.

(Two polar extremes here physically and accusations came from both. But when we cannot judge (discern) correctly, you have become a standard unto yourself, the "lawgiver", the condemner. Wrong in every way).

That is pretty serious charge to say someone is possessed and they are not. You better be right! They said to John the Baptist your crazy, they said to Christ your crazy.

Remember the last post Christ talked about John the Baptist coming in the spirit of Elijah. Here is he coming from Luke 1 again. We also know John ate locusts and honey from Matthew 3:4.

(Luke 1:15) "For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb."

Back to Matthew 11:19,

19The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children."

First if Christ never went to sinners no one would be saved. Don't be a "goodie two shoe." Secondly, they invited and wanted Him around, welcome with open arms. Yes! You welcome the Lord in with open arms HE IS COMING IN. Amen †

(God never condemns wine. Not in moderation He does not. Christ is also talking about celebrating, when to do it correctly. Like at the wedding going back to John 2 where fermented wine would always be served. Christ never condemned wine drinking, and Christ certainly would never enable sin as well. The Biblical difference is of course to be drunken, leading to clouded judgment and naturally sin).

(Just as we don't spend money, and eating on the excess of the wants of the flesh, and to misery. For very good reason. If one looks deep at those take the happiness, contentment, and satisfaction out of life leading to more bitterness, whining, murmuring and the same clouded judgment, and everyone has to put up with it).

Overall, what did they do here? judge by food and drink. And this is how the Lord defines drama queen. Looks like a "soap opera" to me.

(Psalm 35:20-21) "For they speak not peace: but they devise deceitful matters against them that are quiet in the land.

21Yea, they opened their mouth wide against me, and said, Aha, aha, our eye hath seen it."

Wisdom cries out through discernment (righteous judgment) to find many. Where does all go back to, humble yourself before the Lord. Sincerity at belief and repentance.

(Proverbs 8:12) "I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions."

Amen †