revelation

Matthew 11:16-19 “To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others: 17 ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’ 18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and “sinners.”’ But wisdom is proved right by her actions.”
 
CRITICS come and critics go, but the Word of God remains steadfast. Jesus illustrates this truth as he compares the Jews ruling establishment with children sitting in a marketplace. What do idle children do? They call out to other children to often tease and create some type of challenge. Sometimes they argue and cause conflict for the sake of conflict.
   Jesus described that kind of scene as the children call out to other children to dance, but no one danced to their flute. The children expected others to mourn, but they did not mourn.
   This illustrates Israel’s response to John and Jesus. They criticized John as demon possessed because of his austere life. They criticized Jesus for gluttony because he did not live an austere life. Israel’s history, too, was to call to the prophets, “Dance to our tune!”
   The world wants Christians to dance to its tune. They don’t like the music of right and wrong, repentance and forgiveness. The sinner’s heart rejects the risen Savior. The tunes of self-desire play loudly over the melodies of God’s will. Only a few will quiet the noise and humble themselves before the music of salvation. That’s why Jesus then publicly prayed in Matthew 11:25-26 “I praise you, Father, Lord of Heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. 26 Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.” Jesus declared his Father’s pleasure was to hide Kingdom knowledge from the educated and reveal it to the multitudes – the children of Israel. The Father’s pleasure was to move his Word from the learning centers of the synagogues and the temple to the public teachings.
   Jesus also prayed a truth quite radical and new. Addressing God as “Father” Jesus declared he is the Son of God. Jesus is the means of God’s revealed knowledge. Jesus is broadening Israel’s understanding of his own identity as he declares he is of the Holy God the Jews know as Yahweh.
          This, of course, will anger the establishment of the “wise and learned” men. This will leave others perplexed, unsure how to respond. Only a few will understand the Father’s pleasure to send his Son to save the elect.