Bible Study Notes for Lord’s Day,
October 24, 2010
Luke 7:31-35
“A Resistant Generation”

31 And the Lord said, “To what then shall I liken the men of this generation, and what are they like?
 32 “They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another, saying: ‘We played the flute for you, And you did not dance; We mourned to you, And you did not weep.’
 33 “For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’
 34 “The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’
 35 “But wisdom is justified by all her children.”

Introduction When we play music, we look for a response.  Little kids at a recital, rockstars, worship leaders.  John the Baptist and Jesus were hoping for a response - as they presented salvation and the life of the Kingdom of God to people.  Not for their own egos, but very important for their hearers to receive wisdom, with eternity in the balance.  Jesus does not seem to be pleased with the response.   v32

Today, if you hear His voice, harden not your heart.  “Yes, Lord!”

1. John and Jesus came  v33, 34 - What did John and Jesus come for?  What are they presenting?  Why are they looking for a response?

They were ambassadors from God to the human race.  Christianity, the Kingdom of God = love God, love people.  If we failed to love God and people, Jesus has atoned for our lack of love.  If we want to love God and people, the Holy Spirit is given to indwell us and fill us with love for God and people. 

This is the Christian life - all about love.

2. People have something to say  v33, 34

People have a free will - to love God or not, to love people or not, to receive forgiveness from Jesus or not, to receive the power to love from the Holy Spirit or not.

3. Men are like children - v31-32 

 31 And the Lord said, “To what then shall I liken the men of this generation, and what are they like?
 32 “They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another, saying: ‘We played the flute for you, And you did not dance; We mourned to you, And you did not weep.’

Some things never change.  Kids try to get each other’s attention, try to influence those around them.  “Well what about this?” “Well what about this?!”  Trying to impress each other, and trying not to be impressed by each other.  Resistant to influence, even if it’s good, beneficial, loving, wise.  Men are like children.  Pride continues with us, even when we become adults, men or women.

4. Some children follow wisdom - v35 

 35 “But wisdom is justified by all her children.”

In the world, some are wise, some are foolish, most are a mixture.  We wish all were wise, including ourselves.  We wish all would follow the loving influence of wisdom, to love God and love other people.

5. What is this wisdom?  Not knowledge.  We have free will to think, speak and behave as we wish.  Wisdom is making good decisions in life - the best decisions are those based on loving God and other people, accepting the forgiveness of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit to love God and others.  This is wisdom.

6. Different approaches to presenting wisdom - If we have some wisdom, since people need wisdom, we may try to impart it to people in various ways, with different approaches.  There are various approaches to imparting wisdom, the life of love:

a. John the Baptist  v33 

 33 “For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’


John’s way of loving God and others was very serious, disciplined.  Is austerity needed sometimes?  Do some people respond well to this?  Some Christians are very serious, strict, legalistic, judgmental, intense.  Some people eat this up.

b. Jesus  v34 

 34 “The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’

Jesus’ way of showing love to God and others was more laid back, happy and carefree.  Is celebration needed sometimes?  Do some people respond well to this?  Freedom, graciousness, casual, relaxed, loose, live and let live, laid back, fewer requirements, the “spirit” of the law, instead of the letter.

What kind of spirituality would you like?  What approach to a good life of loving God and others would you like?  Bohemian or Puritan?

7. Balance is needed

a. In theology - Is God an angry judge, or a gentle, compassionate shepherd?  Yes.  Some scriptures are more austere, others more liberating.  A balance of grace and works, mercy and discipline, freedom and law.

b. In worship - some worship services are very somber, others are like a party.  In a church like ours, we have all kinds of people, and we need to give each other freedom, but also not get too extreme in either direction.

c. In daily life - we celebrate, let our hair down sometimes, but then get up and go to work the next morning.  A balance of Jesus and John.  We dance to the flute and then mourn to the dirge when the alarm clock goes off the next morning.

d. In church discipline - some churches make it easy, others more difficult.  Seeker sensitive or traditional.  Notice entire denominations take different approaches.

8. Some people reject God’s wisdom and love no matter what

 31 And the Lord said, “To what then shall I liken the men of this generation, and what are they like?
 32 “They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another, saying: ‘We played the flute for you, And you did not dance; We mourned to you, And you did not weep.’
 33 “For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’
 34 “The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’

“I don’t care what song you play, I won’t dance, I won’t cry, I refuse to respond.”

I shall not be moved.

I shall not be, I shall not be moved x2
Just like a tree that’s planted by the waters, I shall not be moved.

The preacher wore that striped tie he knows I do not like
I wish that I had stayed at home, Gunsmoke’s on tonight
I’ll sit right here and hinder those around me, I shall not be moved.

I’ll stand right up and testify of what God’s done for me
But when they pass the offering plate, I act like I don’t see
I’ll sit right here and quench the Holy Spirit, I shall not be moved.

Today, if you hear His voice, harden not your heart.  Red face, white knuckles.

7. Irrational rejection

Some no-brainers people don’t get, no matter what you say.  “Irrational rejection”

a. Salvation by grace - yet they go back to works

b. Evolution is ridiculous, yet they cling to it.  Rattlesnakes just evolved?!?!

c. The sanctity of a baby’s life, the womb the safest place, not the most dangerous

d. Jesus is wonderful, yet some people hate and blaspheme Him.  He offers mercy and forgiveness for our unloving behavior, and some people say “No.”  He offers the Holy Spirit and the fruit of the Spirit, and they refuse.  Irrational rejection.

8. Why?  Why would someone reject the wisdom and life of God?  The ways of John, the ways of Jesus.  The life of God is to love Him with all your heart, mind, soul and strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself.  Why would anyone refuse to dance to that song?

a. Ignorance - sometimes people have not heard, have not been taught in a way they understand.

b. Apathy - some people have not realized the importance of receiving the message of the Kingdom into their lives.  Today it’s de-emphasized as irrelevant, unimportant.

c. Rebellion - I’m the captain of my ship.  I did it my way.

9. What is our reaction to their resistance?  Disappointment?  Anger?  Despair?  Give up?  35 “But wisdom is justified by all her children.”

We are the children of wisdom, trying to get a response from others on behalf of wisdom.  Even if there is no response, wisdom is justified. Wisdom is justified, God is justified when people come to faith, and even if they don’t.

We do what we are called to do, whatever approach we take, the approach of John or of Jesus.  If people reject it, we scratch our heads, it makes us sad, but it’s their loss.  We are still secure.  Straight is the gate and narrow the way.

Wisdom is justified as right by All her children, regardless of which approach is used.

10. Are we going with God’s flow ourselves?  Today, if you hear His voice, harden not your heart.  Anytime, anywhere God speaks, say, “Yes, Lord.”

Conclusion   31 And the Lord said, “To what then shall I liken the men of this generation, and what are they like? 32 “They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another, saying: ‘We played the flute for you, And you did not dance; We mourned to you, And you did not weep.’ 33 “For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’
 34 “The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’
 35 “But wisdom is justified by all her children.”