Jesus compares the people of his generation to children in the marketplace calling their playmates. These children are manipulative. They want their playmates to fulfill their desires to dance or mourn at their whim; never satisfied with what they get. John the Baptist was accused of being demon possessed. Jesus was accused of being a glutton and a drunkard.
Nonetheless, Jesus and John have one thing in common. They were both called to fulfill a ministry according to the Scriptures. The qualifications that Christ gives to John's messengers are fulfillments of Isaiah's prophecies concerning the Messiah. And Christ pointed out to the people that John was also the fulfillment of the prophecies concerning the Elijah to come. Their identity and call are reassured. The criticism of the people doesn't matter. They both set out, against all odds, to minister to a generation reluctant to the Gospel.
Our generation is no different. It is a generation used to being served; to being catered. It is a "your way right away" generation. Unfortunately, this attitude has infiltrated into the church as well. But, ministry is not about catering to people's wants. It is about serving people's needs. And the greatest need of humanity is salvation. Ministry is not about style, but about substance. And the substance is the reality of acknowledging God's call to serve him in whatever capacity he desires.
Lord, reassure my heart in my salvation and calling to serve you. Don't let my heart sink when people criticize me. Give me the strength to stand firm with the conviction to serve you all the days of my life. May opposition and criticism never shake my commitment to serve you.
No comments:
Post a Comment