John and Jesus in Dialogue
Sermon 28 in Series
Luke 7:18-35
[18] The disciples of John reported all these things to him. And John, [19] calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to the Lord, saying, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” [20] And when the men had come to him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to you, saying, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?’” [21] In that hour he healed many people of diseases and plagues and evil spirits, and on many who were blind he bestowed sight. [22] And he answered them, “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to them. [23] And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”
[24] When John’s messengers had gone, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? [25] What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who are dressed in splendid clothing and live in luxury are in kings’ courts. [26] What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. [27] This is he of whom it is written,
“‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face,
who will prepare your way before you.’
[28] I tell you, among those born of women none is greater than John. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” [29] (When all the people heard this, and the tax collectors too, they declared God just, having been baptized with the baptism of John, [30] but the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected the purpose of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him.)
[31] “To what then shall I compare the people of this generation, and what are they like? [32] They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another,
“‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance;
we sang a dirge, and you did not weep.’
[33] For John the Baptist has come eating no bread and drinking no wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’ [34] The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ [35] Yet wisdom is justified by all her children.”
DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1. Why does John’s question strike us as strange? How was Jesus’ ministry different from what he might have expected?
2. How does Jesus respond to John’s messengers? What does his attitude towards John in v. 23 communicate about our relationship to him?
3. Why does Jesus quickly commend John after this encounter with his disciples? How does he characterize him to the crowds?
4. How do Jesus’ words at the end of v. 28 further motivate the Christian life? How do they heighten our awareness of what God is doing in our lives?
5. How are the religious leaders portrayed in this passage? How does the inclusion of the tax collectors and others highlight God’s justice and mercy?
6. What comparison does Jesus make in the final set of verses? What is his conclusion?
References: John 10:18; Luke 3:19-20, 16; John 1:29, 32, 34; Isaiah 29:18; 35:5-6; 42:18; 26:19; 61:1; Luke 4:18; 1:17; Matthew 3:4; Malachi 3:1; Luke 16:16; Matthew 21:31-32; Luke 4:19; 5:34.
