SO WHO IS JESUS?
Opening Prayer
Jesus, I worship you in awe and with love. Forgive my sins and fill me with your Spirit today.
Read LUKE 7:18-35
Jesus and John the Baptist
18 John’s disciples told him about all these things. Calling two of them, 19 he sent them to the Lord to ask, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”
20 When the men came to Jesus, they said, “John the Baptist sent us to you to ask, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?’”
21 At that very time Jesus cured many who had diseases, sicknesses and evil spirits, and gave sight to many who were blind. 22 So he replied to the messengers, “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy[a] are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. 23 Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”
24 After John’s messengers left, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness 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.’[b]
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 the experts in the law rejected God’s purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John.)
31 Jesus went on to say, “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 pipe 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.”
Footnotes
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
At a concert, a warm-up act sometimes prepares the audience for the real star. Imagine the excitement humanity should feel when the one sent to prepare for the Messiah steps aside!Two of John the Baptist’s disciples came to Jesus to confirm that he was, in fact, the Messiah. In the middle of the passage, Jesus gives his opinion of John. The final section offers Jesus’ reflection on the people of his day. They wouldn’t accept John, or Jesus, even though their styles were so different. Clearly, it was not possible to satisfy some people!
In this passage, the critical thing Luke highlights is the progression from the prophets of the Old Testament, to John (who was ‘more than a prophet,’ v 26), to Jesus, who was the miracle-working Messiah. Jesus wanted John to know what he was doing for the blind, the lame, those with leprosy, the deaf, the dead, and the poor (vs 21–23; see also Isaiah 61:1,2). John had come to prepare the way for the Lord, and now evidence showed that he was here.
John’s role had been so significant. But do not miss verse 28. Even though John was greater than all who had come before him, even the least of us in the new kingdom is greater than John. If you have trusted Jesus, you are greater than John too!
Apply
Some people found any way they could to reject John and Jesus—just as they do today. Consider who Jesus really is to you and then tell someone about him.
Closing prayer
Holy Spirit, continue to build my faith; continue to teach me about who Jesus is and remind me of all he said. When I am weak, when I waver, help me to be faithful.
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