Do not stumble on account of Jesus (Luke 7c)

Do not stumble on account of Jesus!

Luke 7:18-35

Key Verse: 23 Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me

Independent thought is considered to be very important and is greatly encouraged by modern education. In this thought, ‘I’ is the center of all judgment and decision. Postmodernism is the heart of that drive and it is the main stream of today’s thought.  It is weathered by pluralism, individualism, and relativism.  As we live in today’s world, we all are invariably influenced by that thought in one way or another. It has some good things in it but is often the cause of ‘stumble’ in our faith in Jesus.  So in todays’ passage, I pray that God’s word may help us how not to stumble on account of Jesus in the midst of such overwhelming influence of postmodernism. The message centers on three words: repentance, independence or autonomy, and faith. 

1.      Are you the one or should we expect someone else?

At the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, Jesus came to John and was baptized by him. At that time John saw the Holy Spirit coming down on Jesus. So to John it was clear that Jesus was the one God sent as the Messiah. Since he preached the baptism of repentance to the entire nation, and introduced Jesus to the nation, he almost was finishing his work. Finally John completed his work by rebuking Herod, the authority of the nation Israel. But the cost for this mission was very heavy. King Herod arrested John and put him in prison. Since then some time has lapsed. John in his prison did not know what Jesus was doing. Whatever Jesus is doing three things must happen if Jesus is the Messiah:  restore the justice of the nation and redeem his people and restore the kingdom. But John did not see any of these things happening..  So he called two of his disciples and sent him to Jesus and asked this question.

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?'"

This led John to have serious doubt if Jesus was really the Messiah. He could have waited more to see if Jesus was doing more but he might not have much time because Herodias, the wife of Herod is fuming murderous threat to John and in anytime John could be killed. Imminent threat to life is seen and felt.  In this regard this question was an urgent call for help as well as a question in doubt. In such dire condition, it is well justified to ask why Jesus the Lord and Savior is not doing things that we hoped and believed him to be doing.

2.      Report to John what you have seen and heard (21-23)

When these two disciples of John came to ask this question, Jesus was doing these things; he healed many sick people and drove out evil spirits and opened the eyes of the Blind. These two disciples saw with their own eyes all these things. While they were watching these things, Jesus answered to them, in this way;

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 are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.

This is almost reciting of the word from Isa 61:1.

Isaiah 61:1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,-

This prophecy is well known to be the work of the coming Messiah. What Jesus was doing was exactly what the prophet Isaiah prophesied about coming Messiah. These were witnessed by these two disciples of John.  In addition to what they saw, what Jesus did just before they came, i.e. raising of the son of a widow remained as a very fresh and vivid memory living among the people of the town. Even it was possible that these two disciples saw the young man. This is an unmistakable sign of Messiah. No one but God can do such things. Only the Messiah, king can do such things.

What do all these?  All these became inviolable evidence of who Jesus was, the Messiah. Also these are more than sufficient power or force to uphold Jesus as the Messiah.

That force is strong enough to thwart all negative views or reasoning to raise question on Jesus’ identity as the Messiah.   One of the doubts comes from the understanding of OT prophecy that when Messiah comes, he will restore justice and restore the kingdom.  Here Jesus did not touch or mention anything about justice, about restoration of the kingdom, or about what would happen to the King Herod or the nation. It might possible that these were the utmost importance in John’s mind. But for Jesus dealing with suffering under the power of sin was the first priority and all these things that Jesus was doing were the proof of this.

So, John had two things that he had to joggle around; convincing proof by Jesus miracles and the prophecy that he believed about the coming Messiah. When he comes, there will be justice, new king and new kingdom. All the more John himself was in a great suffering, soon might face death. How can John reconcile these two truths?  Did he make a choice what to believe? Repent? Or what?  Before we come to the answer, we will discuss about who John was. (John was not exempt from what all men of the kingdom of God must go through—i.e. faith)

Before answering this, it is good to know who John was and what he as well as the people that he preached to needed.

3.      No one is greater than John among the born of women

Once, John was very famous in Israel. He was famous for pure and righteous life and for his sharp rebuke of the sins of men. The entire nation Israel respected him and honored him as a prophet. But now he is in prison and asking question on who Jesus was. He was in great need and he even might be killed soon.  Simply in people’s mind, the memory of John’s teaching might be quickly forgotten. But Jesus reminded them of the significance of John’s life and his message. 

Jesus began with two rhetorical questions concerning John.

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.

Jesus have them two hypothetical questions; one if they went out to see a reed swayed by the wind and the other if they went out to see a man dressed in fine clothes.

Jesus was exploring their inner motives to go out to see John. One motive was to find a man who would bend over himself backward to show empathy for their pitiful conditions. This is a common way to related with someone powerful. Because such needs are ever prevalent and present in the lives of people suffering greatly.  Yet it is more than possible that some in a great pain and sorrows of life came out hoping to find some words of comfort and consolation from John. But it is like looking for honeydew from a bitter melon. Bitter melon is better for our health than honey dew, though honeydew is better taste for our tongue. But John lived a very humble and ascetic life in the wilderness. His life was one of the most godly and holy life. He would not bend over the truth that he believed in order to give sympathy for the weak. The answer is definitely no. He would give the better medicine for the life, the repentance. Not a honeydew.

The other motive is to meet someone who has power and riches, out of whom one may tap on for his power or riches, hoping to get some tangible benefits for their lives. Were there such people? Yet, it was more than possible that Pharisees or the teachers of the Law might go out there to see if they could tap on John to get some power. If they did it was wrong!

John lived in wilderness, eating locust and honey. He wore clothing made of camel’s leather. It is so durable that one may last for his life time. Simply, he did not have riches that he could give away to influence or to help others and he did not have power that he could exercise over people.

These two could not or should not have been the purpose or intention of people going out to see. What was the reason that they went out to see John?

26 But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.

A prophet is a man on whom God entrusted his message. In the prophecy of Isaiah (40:3) he was called ‘ a voice one calling in a desert’. Truly John was a messenger of God’s word, nothing more, nothing less. He did not have sympathy for the weak, and he did not have riches or powers. But his voice was fired up with call for repentance.

So if anyone wanted to know him, he must know his message.  The message of God was the most important reason for them to see John and the reason for baptism by John. What was the message delivered; a baptism of repentance. He had nothing but the message of God. He had no power to perform miracles, No will to sympathize the weak and helpless. No power or riches to share or to give away.  If one fails to listen to his message of repentance, then he wasted his time and effort to go out to see John. Then what was the ultimate purpose of meeting John?

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.' 

It is to make the people of Israel prepared for coming Messiah.  Soon after baptism, John introduced Jesus to the crowd as the coming Messiah. It was important. But the true significance is in what he did ; to prepare the nation for the Messiah. So his message is far weightier than any other prophets of the past.  The importance of listening to him and gravity of his message can never be overemphasized. If one is prepared by John’s message, then he will surely see the Lord and be saved. If not, then, the man will fall away and never see the salvation in the Messiah.  So we come to know the gravity of John’s message.

Now he is a dungeon as a prisoner. He is facing execution. But the message of repentance that he delivered bears an enormous importance in salvation of people. He delivered this by his life. They had to know this. Truly he was the greatest among all born of women.

Strangely Jesus added some more about the greatness of John.

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."

What is Jesus saying here? John introduced Jesus the messiah and he prepared people for the King. But he himself did not yet make to the kingdom of God, Jesus brought. So as far as a man in flesh can do, John was the best. Nevertheless, John was not part of God’s kingdom. So his human greatness does not earn him the blessing of the king and cannot be greater than the greatness of the people of the kingdom of God. Like any other men in flesh he has yet to go through the process of belief in what God offered in and through Jesus the Messiah. He was yet to believe Jesus and yet to be blessed as a man of God’s kingdom through Jesus.  It depends on his decision on faith even in prison. His decision by faith in Jesus will surely earn him the blessing of the kingdom of God.   He must pass through this age to the world of Jesus, the new age of God’s grace. What must he do? As the two of John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus said this:

23 Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me."

Here the word ‘stumble’ means to fall down or fall into sin. Another meaning is being offended at some one.  Jesus is talking about those who accepted Jesus favorably. Yet by some reason, he falls away from that faith.

Why do such things happen? The moment one accept Jesus as the Lord and Messiah, our expectation of him grow tremendously. He is the Lord and he is to take care of all things. That’s true. But in whose terms? Often we feel that Jesus must do all these in our own terms. So when we do not see the things we want to see Jesus doing, we feel offended. Jesus is not caring for me. Jesus is not here. Jesus may not be true. Such doubt may become deeper into the root of our faith and undermined everything that we stood for in Christ.  Such doubt begins as a small wedge between us and Jesus. But It would end in disbelief and rejection of the Messiah.

One thing there is a large portion of God’s work that we do not understand even with the best of our knowledge of him. It is God’s prerogative to do what is good and right in His own eyes. God knows all. God is perfect in what He is doing. Even in such condition as John’s life in prison, God's will and purpose is perfect.  But to John God gave very convincing evidences to believe that are strong enough to overcome all doubts and human reasoning. We should not make our understanding as the center of judgment but the proof that Jesus gave us shall be the center of our belief and anchor of judgment.

It is tragedy for any one even a single one falls away from God.

Do you have a doubt on Jesus because he is not doing what you expected of him doing? Then, we have to examine the convincing proofs that Jesus gave to us.  What are they? Jesus’ suffering on the cross is the proof. Jesus resurrection and ascension is the proof. Many witness of this in the lives of many believers are the proof of Jesus’ Lordship. At the same time we understand that there are many unanswered questions. Why is my life filled with so many problems? Why am I sick, why don’t I have a job? Why can I get the best grades in school? Why is the world filled with so many problems? There are myriads of questions left unanswered.

When we believe Jesus as our Lord, it means we give him full credit as the Lord of life; In this regard, seeing the resurrection of the son of a widow made a very strong anchor of John’s faith.  He has unlimited wisdom, he has power to fulfill his goal, he has love for us no matter what suffering we are under. As he is our Lord, he guarantees us the victory over all ungodliness and evils of the world. We must trust him and accept him despite of all these unresolved questions and problems. This is the faith that does not stumble on account of Jesus.

It is my five penny wisdom that sooner or later, the world will be drawn into all kind of troubles, the troubles that we had never experienced before and never imagined before. Despite of this uncertainty, we are confident in the Lordship of Jesus. He is almighty; he loves us so much that he saved us through his son’s suffering. He promised us eternal place in his kingdom. In these hope and promises, we do not sway our faith in Jesus. We live in the grace and blessings of the Kingdom of God. So do not stumble on account of Jesus!

But sadly there were some who stumbled and there will be some who would stumble and would bare tragic outcome for their lives. Who of what kind of people might they be?

4.      Who would stumble on account of Jesus?  

V29-30 : 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)

When John rebuked the people to repent of their sins, many came to him and baptized as a token of their repentance. This even included the tax collectors, well known for their ungodly and flamboyant life style. When they repented of their sins, they accepted that they sinned against God and they were worthy of God’s punishment. So in the depth of their heart, they admitted that they were deadly wrong and God was righteous and God is right to judge them for their wrongs. Repentance of these people enabled them to see God’s blessing.

On the other hand, Pharisees and the experts in the law rejected John’s message of repentance. They did not come to him and were not baptized by John. So they were kept in their own blindness. They could not see God’s wisdom, his truth and God’s blessing that comes only when one repent of his or her sins. Simply they were shut off from God’s blessing. Like this, unrepentance leads them to failure to see the truth in Jesus. Also unrepentance is a direct rejection of God’s authority.

As we discussed earlier in the two rhetorical questions, Jesus let us take a peek into the minds of people. We noted that they were a desire to be comforted for their pitiful situations and a desire to be with a man of power and riches. John had none of these. But Jesus offered them  the things that they needed and were looking for. Jesus showed his compassion for the weak and helpless. In his love he cared for all sick people and fed them. Also he demonstrated the power of God, which they never saw before. Even with such a great offer, available for them, yet some refused to accept Jesus. Why? 

Then why did they not repent? If they admitted that they were wrong in the eyes of God, they would have accepted John’s message. But they were right in their own eyes. In this way they declined John’s message and they rejected God’s word. They stood alone independent and with full autonomy.  What they know is absolute and all others must play their game including God and the Messiah Jesus. They had no room to accept Jesus’ message and the work of God in and through him. The outcome is astounding. They fell off thoroughly into sin and missed out the best opportunity to have genuine life and truth.

Who are they like? How can we characterize them? Jesus gave them a parable;

V31-32

Here are a group of children. One among them played a dirge but the other children did not cry.  Rather they were staring at him with eyes of ridicule and contempt. The other child played a waltz for dancing  but even at this time, the rest of the children stared at him with eyes of contempt and ridicule.   What does this parable mean? Jesus explained in the next verses:

V33-34.

When John came as the servant of God and preached repentance the Pharisees and the teachers of the law did not agree with him and his premise that they had sinned against God and had to repent. So they did not come out and were not baptized.

When Jesus came and did many miracles and brought a great joy to many people, the Pharisee and the teachers of the law rejected Jesus as the Son of God, saying that Jesus did not keep the law of Moses.

So they are like those children who refused to cry along with dirge and who refused to dance along with waltz.  Actually both, John and Jesus came from God. God let John play a dirge so that they may cry over their sins. But they rejected both. Why? At the bottom of their mind, they upheld themselves far above John or Jesus. In this way they rejected God and rejected gracious offer from the Messiah. They fell off to sin and stumble on Jesus.  They all did these because they were right in their own eyes.

Through these people, it becomes clear who would fall away from Jesus.  It is those who would not repent and has no fear of God’s judgment. Also they are those who uphold their own righteousness. They are good and righteous in their own eyes. They have their own sets of rules and righteousness, totally independent from God

This parable is about the people of this generation.  Here this generation referred to most likely the Pharisees and the teachers of the law.  But Jesus did not mention them specifically. The characteristic of this generation is as clear as we have seen in this parable of children’s play. They were the ones that had characteristics of ‘this generation’

What is this generation that we are living? It is called the generation of postmodern thinking.  Post modernism is those who take postmodern thinking as the rule of their life. They are characterized by these things: radical pluralism, individualism, and relativism. It is not just the people of this world that are under these postmodern thinking. Even many believers are heavily influenced by these ideals. So many of the members of the church do not believe that there is an absolute truth apart from oneself and reject any teachings as the truth that they have to obey. This is an independent thinking, the beginning of rationalism, relativism, pluralism.  But at its root it is rejection of God’s righteousness and his authority as the judge of the all ungodliness.

John’s life is a life of rebuke based on absolute truth of God.  But Jesus came and served all kinds of people with love and grace. But Pharisees and teachers of the law rejected to accept Jesus as their king. They crucified him because they feared that Jesus might take over the nation. Crucifixion was utmost form of rejection of God’s love for them.  For the people of this generation, the generation of postmodernism, the cross is repugnant idea because cross is a clear witness of their sins and they are not willing to accept their sin as worthy to be such punishment. To these people Jesus gives a word of truth;

V35 But wisdom is proved right by all her children.

As we have seen children’s play, there seems to be two conflicting wisdom, the one of God who played songs through John and Jesus, and the other, the people of this generation who responded with indifference.  In relativistic thinking, or on the surface, both of them looked right and no one could discern which one is better or right.  But here Jesus says sobering truth. When one see the children of that wisdom, it will be clear whose wisdom is right.  The Pharisees and the teachers of the Law bore children of pride and self-righteousness. When Jerusalem was destroyed by the Roman general Titus in AD 70, they all perished. These two sects disappeared.

What about the wisdom of God?  God delivered this through John and through Jesus.  It is the message of the salvation in the grace of Jesus the Son of God. This message and the utmost wisdom of God is the cross of Jesus.

18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. (1Co 1:18)

24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.  (1 cor 1:24)

Since then, this wisdom bore life in millions or billions of people since.  We all are the children of that wisdom of God. We shall not stumble no matter how difficult things we face or no matter how terrible the world would become.  To those who claim to be wiser than God, we like to give this word:

25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength. (1Co 1:25 NIV)

Believe in the evidence of the cross of Jesus and his resurrection, you won’t fall and stumble. Be blessed in Jesus!