Greater Than John the Baptist

Today's verse:
24. After John’s messengers left, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind?
25. If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear expensive clothes and indulge in luxury are in palaces.
26. But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.
27. This is the one about whom it is written: “‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’
28. I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”
29. (All the people, even the tax collectors, when they heard Jesus’words, acknowledged that God’s way was right, because they had been baptized by John.
30. But the Pharisees and experts in the law rejected God’s purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John.)
31.“To what, then, can I compare the people of this generation? What are they like?
32. They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling out to each other: “‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not cry.’
33. For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’
34. The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and “sinners.” ’
35. But wisdom is proved right by all her children.”

Reflection:

It took me a while to get the true gist of this passage. It comes in the middle of the chapter and it seemingly is a follow-on to the previous passage about John the Baptist. After Jesus sends John's disciples back to him reassuring him that Jesus is indeed the Messiah and not to get discouraged, Jesus praises John, calling him the greatest prophet. But Jesus also goes on to say that those who enter the Kingdom of Heaven will be greater than him. Seems hard to believe that we who believe in Jesus and enter heaven could be considered greater than John the Baptist, but that's cool. What struck me was the last part of the passage, when Jesus compares the people of this generation to children who whine and pout because people did not do exactly what was wanted of them. It reminds me of the people of *this* generation, the 21st century, who reject God. They complain when things are hard and refuse to acknowledge Him when things are good. "Why does God let bad things happen?", followed by "God didn't do this good thing, *I* did it". Their "faith" is lacking and weak, like that of the "reed swaying in the wind". Let our faith be strong and consistent, not changing at the slightest breeze of hardship. Our faith, in this ever changing fickle world, will give us passage into the kingdom of heaven, allowing us to be greater than even John the Baptist.

Tag: Joanne