The world is confused and sometimes I am startled by the folks who buy into the deception. God’s children are called to live in Christ’s wisdom; and we know true wisdom when we hear it. That means believers also know foolishness when it travels past our discerning ears.
In our passage today, Jesus is speaking to the crowds. The Pharisees are also listening. He wants to hear them answer his questions about John the Baptist. Will the Lord hear wisdom or foolishness? One thing the crowd could all agree upon was the righteous ways of God.
Wisdom’s children are recognized when they seek to live in godliness and obedience to the instruction of God’s love commands. The Pharisees sought to separate themselves from sinners as a way to be righteous in the love of God. However, Jesus—who has been made wisdom for us—proclaims righteousness is revealed through loving acts of mercy and compassion. We cannot separate ourselves from the sin that permeates the world, but Jesus can separate us from the sin that tries to hide in our hearts. Praise God!
Luke 7:31-35 NLT
31 “To what can I compare the people of this generation?” Jesus asked. “How can I describe them? 32 They are like children playing a game in the public square. They complain to their friends,
‘We played wedding songs,
and you didn’t dance,
so we played funeral songs,
and you didn’t weep.’
33 For John the Baptist didn’t spend his time eating bread or drinking wine, and you say, ‘He’s possessed by a demon.’ 34 The Son of Man,[a] on the other hand, feasts and drinks, and you say, ‘He’s a glutton and a drunkard, and a friend of tax collectors and other sinners!’ 35 But wisdom is shown to be right by the lives of those who follow it.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for being our Wisdom and helping us to recognize foolish living. We can grow in your character and nature, so we live in your Wisdom. Help us to live with mercy and be filled with compassion, because without you we would be living like the world. In Jesus’ name. Amen.