TheGospel for October 6, 2004 (William Tyndale)
Luke 7:18-35
The disciples of John gave him all this news, and John, summoning two of his disciples, sent them to the Lord to ask, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or are we to expect someone else?’ When the men reached Jesus they said, ‘John the Baptist has sent us to you to ask, “Are you the one who is to come or are we to expect someone else?” ’ At that very time he cured many people of diseases and afflictions and of evil spirits, and gave the gift of sight to many who were blind. Then he gave the messengers their answer, ‘Go back and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind see again, the lame walk, those suffering from virulent skin–diseases are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, the good news is proclaimed to the poor; and blessed is anyone who does not find me a cause of falling.’ When John’s messengers had gone he began to talk to the people about John, ‘What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed swaying in the breeze? No! Then what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? Look, those who go in magnificent clothes and live luxuriously are to be found at royal courts! Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet: he is the one of whom scripture says: Look, I am going to send my messenger in front of you to prepare your way before you. ‘I tell you, of all the children born to women, there is no one greater than John; yet the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.’ All the people who heard him, and the tax collectors too, acknowledged God’s saving justice by accepting baptism from John; but by refusing baptism from him the Pharisees and the lawyers thwarted God’s plan for them. ‘What comparison, then, can I find for the people of this generation? What are they like? They are like children shouting to one another while they sit in the market place: We played the pipes for you, and you wouldn’t dance; we sang dirges, and you wouldn’t cry. ‘For John the Baptist has come, not eating bread, not drinking wine, and you say, “He is possessed.” The Son of man has come, eating and drinking, and you say, “Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.” Yet wisdom is justified by all her children.’ -- The New Jerusalem Bible. Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday, 1995, c1985
A Study
The writers have acknowledged John's high place earlier in this gospel, but Jesus here seems to see John as part of the old Israel, not of the new Christianity.
The Oxford Bible Commentary helps with the last few verses:
Jesus acknowledges John’s part by comparing his [John's] contemporaries to children at play. They are like those who fail to respond to all efforts to entice them to take part, whether it be a call to mourn or dance. John challenged them with the demands of God and they accused him of misanthropy. Jesus, on the other hand, presented them with the freeing grace of God and they cast him as a libertine. They will not respond to the challenge found in either proclamation. The section finishes with v. 35 which acts as a counterbalance to the rejection of which vv. 31–4 speak. ‘Wisdom’ in the OT came (alongside Spirit and Word) to be personified as the expression of God’s outreach to humankind in which he made himself known and united them to himself (Prov 8; Wis 7). This verse takes up this thought. God’s way is ‘vindicated’ (the same Gk. verb is used in v. 29), that is acknowledged and praised by all those who through the ministries of John and Jesus have experienced God’s embrace and so have recognized his work both in them and in themselves. -- Barton, J., & Muddiman, J. 2001. Oxford Bible commentary . Oxford University Press: New York
A Reflection
How different are we from those children at play, unsatisfied with the gifts given to us by our creator and lovingly tended and grown by the Holy Spirit? What more do we need? More faith? More love? More hope?
Haven't we so much more than the rest of creation? Yes, the birds are free to flit and frolic, and their food lies around waiting for them. But are they aware of the Love He left for us so much more abundant than their food?
I have been sad, but more often grateful, and often sorrowful, but more often joyful. It is when I will be faithful that I shall be full.
The Collect
Almighty God, who planted in the heart of your servant William Tyndale a consuming passion to bring the Scriptures to the people in their native tongue, and endowed him with the gift of powerful and graceful expression and with strength to persevere against all obstacles: Reveal to us your saving Word, as we read and study the Scriptures, and hear them calling us to repentance and life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
6:56:14 PM 
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