What Common Folk See

On a cold and rainy day in Thessalonika, we
had to stop for the beauty of this flower. What is it 
that we are supposed to see - and sometimes don't?

Scripture:

Luke 7:24    When John’s messengers had gone, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? ²⁵ What then did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who put on fine clothing and live in luxury are in royal palaces. ²⁶ What then 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,

‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,

who will prepare your way before you.’

²⁸ I tell you, among those born of women no one is greater than John; yet the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” ²⁹ (And all the people who heard this, including the tax collectors, acknowledged the justice of God, because they had been baptized with John’s baptism. ³⁰ But by refusing to be baptized by him, the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected God’s purpose for themselves.)

Observation:

Jesus waited until John’s disciples were gone to highlight the ministry of the Baptist. His positive comments were not to be used to influence John as to his role as Messiah, so he was cautious in how he conversed. But now, he turns his attention to those who were listening — and specifically, the disciples. 

He challenges them to think about the reasons that people went out into the wilderness to hear John preach. Jesus adapts the language style from Malachi, and this helps us see the connection. In Malachi we find two themes, “the failure of covenant faithfulness of the priesthood and the coming of the Day of the Lord” (Neale, NBBC). This is a direct challenge to the religious officials who have refused to “acknowledge what the common people and sinners can see: Elijah has come” (Neale, NBBC)!

Application:

Jesus wanted to highlight the fact that the ordinary people had seen the extraordinary in John. God works through ordinary means to break into our world and help us to see the extraordinary ways in which the Lord is as work. This was the lesson for those first disciples, it was to open their eyes to the mystery of God, and to live into and hold onto that truth. 

Jesus’ rhetorical remarks get to the heart of the matter:

1. When you have heard about a movement of God — what has sparked your interest? Why have you wanted to learn more about the situation? I think the Lord is asking us whether we really want to learn and glean from what is happening, or are we more fascinated by the activity itself. Do we flock toward the large growing church in our community because that’s what everyone is doing, or do we want to find out whether God is really at work!
2. The reed shaken by the wind — is a preacher that is shaped by the cultural winds of the day. In other words, are you captured by the clever speaker who is driven by popular culture. That’s not who John was — he was firm and strong, shaped only by his conviction of who God had called him to be. He didn’t tickle the ears of those who came to listen. 
3. Someone dressed in soft robes — these are the people who look just right in society. Did you want to hear the clever preacher who wears skinny jeans and and wears an untucked shirt! What did you expect?! The prophet was a wild looking man who wore clothing that no one would think was stylish. 

The motivations of the heart often remain the same. We want to go where the crowds are going. We want the preacher who knows how to preach about the current social topics, and we want that preacher to look cool! Jesus asks us whether or not we have seen what the common folks see — the real prophet. The pastor who doesn’t look so cool. The one who is preaching prophetic words from the Bible. It’s what common folk see — the real and true man or woman of God. 

Prayer:

Lord, help me not to be distracted from seeing your true followers at work. Amen.