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by Sandy Shaw
We have been studying these first 35 verses of Luke Chapter 7, where we have seen Jesus heal the Roman Centurion servant, raise from the dead that young man in the village of Nain, and we read of John's serious questions regarding Jesus.
John the Baptist who had imprisoned as a consequence of his preaching and witness – just as many are today all around our world - had to learn that Jesus was going to carry out His Ministry - His Way - as the Father wanted Him to.
Verse 23 is so important and it bears repeating - never be offended or huffed at what Jesus is saying and doing. Some people can be put off by the least little thing. We must avoid being over sensitive. Be sensitive to the Holy Spirit, and to what God is saying to you and calling you to do, but do not be overly concerned by critical cynical comments and remarks which some people may make.
Jesus Christ does spring to John's defence. John may have had doubts about Jesus, but Jesus had no doubts about John. That is an important point to note.
John was no spiritual weakling. John was not blown around by popular opinions and flimsy fashions. John was no softie who could be easily silenced. John could not be swayed and persuaded by Jerusalem's political pressures, as people tried to get him to cool things down. John did the work God wanted him to do - ending up in prison – and being beheaded.
When you sign up a soldier of Jesus Christ you do not receive a certificate saying that you will be kept safe and trouble free! Jesus says that John was more than a prophet. Jesus takes care of John's reputation. John was fearless, bold, courageous, fiery, uncompromising and holy.
Jesus can take care of puzzled prophets - depressed disciples - sick servants - and weeping widows. So do trust Him totally to look after you, no matter what situation you find yourself in. These are four case histories which can teach us much.
Jesus went to parties and some did not like him for going to parties. John wouldn't go to parties and some did not like him for not going. Some people you can never please. Not even Jesus Christ could win that one. So they had a go at both. Do not try to please people. We never will. Seek to please God the Father. That is what Jesus did.
Verse 35. To be wise - we are to be open to The Word of God - open to the searing things John preached and taught - open to challenging and sensitive teachings of Jesus. Then, wisdom begins to grow and develop and mature in our hearts. What is wisdom? Doing what God wants YOU to do, and saying what God wants YOU to say. For some it will mean parties and wine - for others it might mean the opposite.
The important lesson here is that we carry out our ministry in the way our gracious loving God calls us, and when you come across people with a different ministry from you encourage them.
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
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