Jesus: Creator, Savior, Lord and King #31 Jesus and John’s Questions Luke 7:19-35

 

Jesus: Creator, Savior, Lord and King

#31 Jesus and John’s Questions
Luke 7:19-35

 

Introduction: Timeline:

Birth and Early Years (6-4 BC – 26 AD)

Birth 6-4 BC:

At 12 years old, Jesus teaches in the Temple – Shows wisdom beyond His years (Luke 2:41-50).

The Silent Years (12-30 AD)

Works as a carpenter in Nazareth – Grows in wisdom and stature (Luke 2:51-52).

No biblical record of His activities until His baptism at age 30.

Year of Obscurity

Jesus’ Baptism and Temptation (27 AD)

Begins preaching repentance – First public message (Mark 1:14-15).

Calls first disciples – Peter, Andrew, James, and John (Matthew 4:18-22).

Turns water into wine at Cana – First recorded miracle (John 2:1-11).

Cleanses the Temple in Jerusalem – Drives out money changers (John 2:13-22).

Meets Nicodemus at night – (John 3:1-21).

John the Baptist imprisoned  – Matthew 4:12a; 14:3-5, Mark 1:14a; 6:17-20, Luke 3:19-20

In Samaria – Speaks to the woman at the well (John 4:1-42).

Heals nobleman’s son – (John 4:46-54).

Year of Popularity (29-30 AD)

Teachings and Miracles in Galilee

Calls more disciples –Matthew (Levi) (Matthew 9:9-13).

 Heals many, including a paralytic – (Mark 2:1-12).

Delivers the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7).

Questions of Concern - Luke 17:19–20

John's Has Doubts

John the Baptist, the forerunner of Jesus ministry, the man commissioned by God to set the stage for the Messiah’s entrance into Israel, is arrested by Herod for rebuking Herod’s marriage to his brother’s wife. This takes place shortly after Jesus meets with Nicodemus in Jerusalem.

John is imprisoned at Herod’s palace in Machærus which was east of the Dead Sea. Our text picks up the narrative months later when Jesus is no longer an obscure, rumor from Nazereth but had become hugely popular with the common people. Along with that popularity come the first strains of opposition from the scribes and Pharisees. In our passage today Jesus is somewhere in Galilee, probably near Nain, which was in the southern part of Galilee.

In Luke 7:11–17 11 And it came to pass the day after, that he went into a city called Nain: and many of his disciples went with him, and much people. 12 Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her. 13 And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, ‘Weep not’. 14 And he came and touched the bier (and they that bore him stood still). And he said, ‘Young man, I say unto thee, arise’. 15 And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother. 16 And there came a fear on all, and they glorified God, saying, that a great prophet is risen up among us, and, that God hath visited his people. 17 And this rumour of him went forth throughout all Judea, and throughout all the region round about.

John a man of the wilderness has been locked away somewhere in Herod’s palace, probably in something like a basement or cellar. John still has disciples who are faithful and loyal to him, these he sends to find out about the work of his cousin, Jesus the looked-for Messiah. In Luke 7:18 And the disciples of John showed him of all these things.

After hearing the reports, 7:19 And John calling unto him two of his disciples, sent them to Jesus, saying, ‘Art thou he that should come, or look we for another?’ 20 When the men were come unto him, they said, ‘John Baptist hath sent us unto thee, saying, “Art thou he that should come, or look we for another?”

John asked two questions of Jesus, and they sound shocking. The man who baptized Jesus, who heard God’s voice say, “This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased” The man who saw the Holy Spirit descend upon Jesus in the form of a dove. And the next day seeing Jesus called out, “Behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world!”

Now after months confined in a dark prison, he asks Jesus, “Are you the promised one or should we look for another?” What you hear in those questions is the doubt of a wounded, weary warrior, wondering if he had sacrificed his freedom for a mistake.

There are a couple of ways of seeing these questions, One, that John was just doubting everything about Jesus, almost accusing him of fooling John and everyone else. But there is another way of understanding these questions and that was in a mistaken interpretation of the Old Testament Messianic prophecies.

In the Old Testament prophecies there were scriptures which told of a coming Messiah who would destroy Israel’s enemies and establish a new Kingdom on earth greater than David or Solomon’s. Yet in other prophecies there were scriptures that spoke of a suffering Messiah, as In Isaiah 53, who would give his life for the redemption of the sin of Israel and all mankind.

One way of reconciling these different scriptures was by proposing two different Messiah’s one from the root of Joseph, who suffered for and saved Israel from famine and another Messiah from the root of Judah and the line of David who would come in power and establish the Kingdom of Heaven upon the earth and sit on the throne of David.

They didn’t see two comings, they really could not have foreseen such a miracle as a Messiah who died and was resurrected, ascended to heaven and then one day would return as the conquering King. They saw two Messiahs instead of two comings.

Some think that John was asking if Jesus was one of two Messiahs. He was not doubting Jesus as the Lamb of God but he was unable to see how Jesus was the avenging Captain of the Lord’s Host come to judge the world and free Israel. The word for another us here is ἑτερον [heteron] which means either a second one or another of a different kind.

For several months John had been preaching “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is come!” But that was not the ministry Jesus his cousin was leading. This messiah was compassionate, forgiving, merciful. He preached Love your neighbor and do unto others as you would have them do unto you. He taught about the love of the Father much more than the wrath of coming God.

How ever we view John’s questions, we can still hear doubt and confusion.  Questions that he had no answer for and his weak physical condition then contributes to a weakened spirit condition. 

Our Questions and Doubts

It’s hard for us to feel what John was feeling in that prison, shut away from ministry, life and light but it is not hard to relate to John when it comes to doubts about the Lord. We may not have doubts about Jesus as the Anointed, promised One, but other doubts can plague us.

We can doubt our salvation. We can doubt God’s love. We can doubt our calling in the ministry. We can doubt our ability to be a good parent. We can doubt our strength to overcome sin. We can have doubts about how God can hold a marriage together or like John have questions about why God isn’t acting in ways that we expected Him to.

When we read the Psalms there are many times when David, or Asaph or one of the Sons of Korah doubted God or themselves serving God.

Turn to Psalms 73:

Listen to Asaph struggling with his doubts and question in Psalms 73:1-14 Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart. 2 But as for me, my feet were almost gone;
my steps had well-nigh slipped.
3 For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. 4 For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm.
5 They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men.
6 Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment.
7 Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.
8 They are corrupt and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily.
9 They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.
10 Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them.
11 And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High?
12 Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.
13 Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain and washed my hands in innocency.
14 For all the day long have I been plagued and chastened every morning.

Yet even in the midst of my doubts, no matter how dark they may be, there is one thing I do not doubt, God can handle my doubts and ultimately answer my questions.

In the New Testament the apostle John wrote 1 John 3:19-20 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. 20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.

John is telling us that God is greater than our doubts and fears and He will bring assurance to us just as He did to Asaph, David, Elijah and Moses. God is God and He is bigger than all our questions, doubts and fears.

Jesus sent John’s disciples away and then He begins to talk about John. Go to…

Questions Countered – Luke 17:21–23

21 And in that same hour he cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits, and unto many that were blind he gave sight. 22 Then Jesus answering said unto them, ‘Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard, how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached. 23 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.’

Jesus Confirmation

Jesus, the Son of God, the Lord of All is not offended by John’s question. He understands there will be doubts even from someone as important and powerful as John the Baptist. Instead of rebuking, he gives proof of who He is and confirms that Yes, He is the One.

By Miracles which fulfill the Messianic prophecies - He does this by telling the messengers to take note and report back to John of the miracles of healing, the resurrection and especially the preaching of the good news.

Why would this convince John? They were the fulfillment of the most descriptive OT prophecies of the work of the Messiah.

Isaiah 29:18-19 And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity, and out of darkness. 19 The meek also shall increase their joy in the LORD, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.

Last week we talked about Jesus first message in Nazereth and how he preached from Isaiah 61:1-2 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; 2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God;

Now when Jesus read that text in the synagogue he stopped in the middle of verse 2 and did not read “the day of vengeance of our God.” That portion of scripture was for the 2nd coming not the first.

How Do We Deal With Doubts

We see two things that Jesus did that would give John the answers he needed. 1st John went to Jesus and second John was directed to the scriptures, to the Word of God.

Now Jesus isn’t teaching a few miles away from us and we can’t physically go and seat at His feet, like Mary and Martha, look up into his loving eyes and hear His voice soothe our doubts and questions away.

And yet in some ways our path to Jesus is vastly better, for we are urged to go to the Lord in prayer and that is even faster and more powerful than a trip to the Holy Land to search for the Master. In prayer He is always available to hear and to comfort.

Remember what Jesus said in Luke 18:1 men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

Prayer is the path we are told to walk when we are doubting, questioning or fell like we are close to fainting. Throughout scripture we are told over and over again to pray, pray, pray. Pray from your secret place, pray in public, pray as one, pray as the body of Christ. Pray and things begin to change, first and foremost within myself. Pray and see the way the Lord works to change things outside my own life and heart. John went to Jesus with his doubts so must we.

Secondly, Jesus sent John back to the word of God, reminding him of what had been written by another prophet Isaiah. When doubts, fears and questions cause us to stumble or slow in our walk with the Lord, like tree roots crossing our path, then we go to the Word of God. We go to the Bible.

Asaph found the answer to his questions in vss. Psalms 73:16-17 When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me;  17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end. …

Asaph went to the sanctuary and what did he find there that answered His questions? The word of God. For Asaph and for us the result of taking our doubts to the Lord and then searching the scripture is a miracle in itself. Listen to Asaph again

vs. 23 Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand. 24 Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel and afterward receive me to glory. 25 Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.

What a powerful reconciliation to Asaph’s doubts. He leaves stronger in his faith by bringing his questions to God because believe me, God always has the right answer, the answer you need, the answer that will make you spiritually stronger.

Illustration: Where Could I Go?

Living below, in this old sinful world
Hardly a comfort can afford
Striving alone, to face temptation's sore
Where could I go but to the Lord?

 

Where could I go, oh where could I go?

Seeking a refuge for my soul

Needing a friend, to help me in the end

Where could I go, but to the Lord?

Now the Lord takes the opportunity of John’s questions of doubt to teach those who were with Him that day.

Questions of Commendation - Luke 17:24–30

24 And when the messengers of John were departed, he began to speak unto the people concerning John, ‘What went ye out into the wilderness for to see? A reed shaken with the wind? 25 But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they which are gorgeously apparelled, and live delicately, are in kings’ courts. 26 But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet. 27 This is he, of whom it is written, “Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee”. 28 For I say unto you, among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.’ 29 And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John. 30 But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him.

Jesus’ Praise of John

Jesus sends the messengers back to John then begins to ask His own questions of those gathered around Him, the apostles, other disciples, onlookers and we have to assume the scribes and Pharisees who always hounded his ministry looking for way to hinder and hurt.

Jesus asks three questions they are about who John the Baptist was and what they believed about him. He asks  “What went ye out into the wilderness for to see? A reed shaken with the wind? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they which are gorgeously apparelled, and live delicately, are in kings’ courts. But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet.

Jesus tells the people that John was not just a prophet, but he was the prophet, the forerunner, the Elijah of the Messiah. John was the last prophet of the Old Testament and the first prophet of the New Testament, and he set the stage for the coming of Jesus and baptized the people that the Lord chose for his apostles and His church. Jesus praises John with one of the highest praises that could ever be given, “For I say unto you, among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist”

Then Jesus adds this, “but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” Why did Jesus say this and what does it mean?  If it is confusing to you, then feel proud you are in good company. Many have wondered about this statement. The first part is easy John was the greatest prophet. Now this wasn’t due to his miracle he did none, while Elijah and Elisha did many and Moses did many more. Nor was it due to his preaching, or his devotion to God. John was called the greatest because of the position he held in relation to the plan of God. He was the forerunner, the herald who called out make straight the way for the Lord. And then prepared the way of the Lord’s coming by preaching repentance and baptizing those who followed. When Jesus came to be baptized of John the stage was set, the way prepared, the people primed. That is why John was the greatest, his position as the last prophet and forerunner made him the greatest.

The answer to the second part of Jesus statement is the same, he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than John. Again not because of power or works or preaching but because of the position they hold in God’s plan.

All things work according to God’s great plan for the universe and the redemption of mankind. That plan began with Jesus starting His church and preaching the Kingdom of God coming not now physically in Jerusalem but spiritually in hearts of believers. That position as the least in the Kingdom, makes them, makes us greater than John.

We have greater privileges, greater gifts as New Testament believers than John was given as an Old Testament prophet. We are given the gift of the Holy Spirit, He indwells us, guides us, comforts us and strengthens us. John was given the Spirit as a prophet but the gift of the indwelling comes with the New Covenant and that only came when Jesus died and rose again. The age of grace, the age of the church, the age of the Gospel, the age of the Kingdom of Heaven supersedes the Old Testament. People in this age are granted greater  gifts, greater revelation, greater relationship that John was given.

He that is least is greater than John because we are inof our position in the plan of God now.

Now after Jesus’ questions show John for the great man and prophet that he was and the importance of being in the Kingdom that Jesus is now bringing, he then starts using his questions to condemn those who will not believe John or Jesus.

Questions of Condemnation – Luke 17:31–354

31 And the Lord said, ‘Whereunto then shall I liken the men of this generation? and to what are they like? 32 They are like unto children sitting in the market-place, and calling one to another, and saying, “We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced: we have mourned to you, and ye have not wept”. 33 For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and ye say, “He hath a devil”. 34 The Son of man is come eating and drinking, and ye say, “Behold a gluttonous man, and a wine-bibber, a friend of publicans and sinners”.’

Jesus’ Condemnation

Now Jesus turns his question from commendation of John to condemnation of those who refuse John’s message of preparation and Jesus’ own message of faith in Himself as God’s Son and the Savior of the World.

He asks, “To what then shall I compare the people of this generation, and what are they like?  His answer, in 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.’

He accuses them of being spoiled children that no matter what you do they will not be happy. Like spoiled children they want to play their games like wedding feast or solemn funeral and they want every one to play their games by their rules and Jesus says still you won’t be happy.

You didn’t like John’s message and claimed he had was demon possessed because he wouldn’t eat or drink what you eat and drink. Then Jesus, the son of Man, Daniels title for the messiah and King of eternity, Jesus came eating and drinking with sinners, with the poor, with even Pharisees and scribes and now you call Him a glutton and a drunk.

They wanted the Forerunner and the Messiah to play their foolish childish game of human importance and power but John and Jesus refused to play those games and never by their rules.

Jesus Isn’t Playing Games

Many people today like to tell us what Jesus should have done, or what He should have said or the way He should have acted. They try to make Jesus not just a friend of sinners but a sinner himself and even one who would encourage sin. They want Jesus to fit in the box they built for him. They want Jesus to play their games, their ways.

Jesus had news for them then and I have for us today, Jesus is saving souls, cleansing sin, redeeming lives, destroying evil and salvation is no game. It is the battle of the ages and the war of eternity. It  began in the Garden and it was finished at Calvary. Now Jesus is gathering His army and one day He will return as the Captain of the Lord’s Host.

When He returns, He will have Matthew 3:12, “His fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” Just as John the Baptist preached.

When Jesus returns those who refused John’s message of “Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is nigh.” Will be those reaped for the harvest of unquenchable, eternal fire. There won’t be any games in Hell.

If you are still trying to get “God to fit in your box.” Then you are like those Jesus condemns, you’re playing games with your eternal life as the buy-in. You can’t afford those stakes. Time to quit playing, start praying and “believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved.”

Conclusion

One verse left in our passage today, Luke 7:35 But wisdom is justified of all her children.

Jesus here personifies wisdom as was done by Solomon in Proverbs 1:20-23 Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets: 21 She crieth in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she uttereth her words, saying, 22 How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?
23 Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.

That passage from proverbs had to come to the mind of those hearing Jesus. What he was telling them is that wisdom will be seen in the results of what you believe and what you do based on that belief. True wisdom will be proven by those who choose the correct way.

The truth is plain, Make the right choice, choose wisdom, choose the fear of the Lord, choose the Son of God, choose the One who came to save the world and then your life and your eternity will show you made the right choice.

Wisdom is justified by her children. Salvation in Christ is justified by the forgiveness of sin and the eternal life of God’s children. Don’t wait until it too late to make the right choice.