The Parable of The Sulking Children
Opening Prayer:
Father God, We come here tonight to study the choices we have as Christians. The things of God are of great and urgent concern, and every one that has ears to hear is concerned to hear this. Eternal life for the Christian is at stake, and we are allowed to choose whether or not to accept the music of our salvation that Jesus is bringing to our ear.. Our prayer tonight is that You will remove all doubt, fear, and complacency from out thoughts and allow us to revel in the joy that Jesus brings to the Christian. Now we ask your blessing on those of our group who cannot be here tonight, and pray that they will return to worship with us when next we meet. Guide us now as we study the words of Your Son Our Lord Jesus, Amen
Scripture Reading
Jesus had been speaking to crowds in the towns and villages throughout the Galilee area and it was at this time also that John was in prison.
Mat 11:7 As John's disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? 8 If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings' palaces. 9 Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is the one about whom it is written: "'I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.' 11 Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
Mat 11:12 From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence, and violent people have been raiding it. 13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. 14 And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come. 15 Whoever has ears, let them hear. 16 "To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others: 17 "'We played the pipe for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.' 18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon.' 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.' But wisdom is proved right by her deeds." 20 Then Jesus began to denounce the towns in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent.
Why study this parable? This parable is a description of those whose hearts are closed to the gospel. In Jesus’ day he was speaking to the Jews, The children that imitated the pipers, represent Christ and his disciples, and the children that acted the part of the mourners, signify John the Baptist, and his disciples, and the children that would not join with, nor make any answer to the one, or the other, represent the Scribes and Pharisees, and those who were not pleased with neither the gospel call of Christ, nor the call to repentance from John.
Q.1 To those who opposed his call, how did Jesus respond? How should we respond? Q.2 Will all those who hear the call be inclined to listen? What inclines the worlds ear? Q.3 Jesus speaks of the children of his day, who represent one or another groups who give the call, or who refuse the call of salvation through Jesus Christ. How does that apply to our world today?
Why is there Violence? Pg2
Mat 11:12 From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence, and violent people have been raiding it. 13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. 14 And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come. 15 Whoever has ears, let them hear.
This reads as if there were violence brought onto the Kingdom of Heaven. We know that is true when we see the life of Jesus unfold in the Bible. He that will take, or get possession of the kingdom of righteousness, peace, and spiritual joy, must be in earnest: Satan will oppose him with every step he takes; and if a one be not absolutely determined to give up their sins and evil companions, and have their soul saved at any expense, will surely perish everlastingly. This requires a violent earnestness.
Q.1 What do these verses bring to this parable? The threat of violence? Or the Promise of salvation? or is it that both are raised in this parable?
Q.2 Considering how the world we live in today seems to be turning from God at every opportunity, What can the Christian do to improve this situation?
Q.3 John The Baptist is referred to as the Elijah of that day, and we know that Elijah was a prophet of God foretelling the fate of Ahab and Jezebel. What does that bring to mind?
FYI… Ahab’s death was predicted by the prophets Elijah (1 Kings 21:19; 22:28). Jezebel’s gruesome death was also predicted by Elijah (1 Kings 21:23). True to the prophecy, Ahab was killed in a battle with Syria. Later, Jezebel was thrown from a tower, “and some of her blood spattered on the wall and on the horses, and they trampled on her” (2 Kings 9:33). Then, “when they went to bury her, they found no more of her than the skull and the feet and the palms of her hands” (2 Kings 9:35). Just as Elijah had said, the dogs ate Jezebel.
Q.4 Should we consider that Jesus was speaking of John, as one who prophesied the destruction of God’s adversaries? If not, then what do you think Jesus meant by his comments in these verses?
Which Generation? 16 "To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others: 17 "'We played the pipe for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.'
John was a great and good man, But surely he was different in appearance and manner in his day. But the generation in which his lot was cast was as barren and unprofitable as could be, and unworthy of him. This is a relatively easy comparison to every generation from that day to this, there are those who will not respond to the Gospel call no matter the music being played. The worlds distractions are prevailing in any generation, fads, trends, music genre, hobbies, work, play, and any other conceivable distraction one might imagine can and will be an attraction to some. And although hearing the call of salvation all the while, and even knowing the consequence, they do not respond. It seems that the here and now are all that matters.
Pg.3
Q.1 What were some of the issues of the generation to which Jesus is speaking ? Q.2 Why does it seem that some of the same or even worse issues are still with us? Q.4 In Jesus’ parable, he is speaking of The Gospel Call. Jesus was speaking about the Jews of that day, and the Scribes and Pharisees as well. Do we have such issues as that today? Do we have more or less resistance in our present age, to the gospel call?
Wisdoms Choices
18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon.' 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.' But wisdom is proved right by her deeds."
Jesus' message of the kingdom of God is a proclamation of good news and of great joy for those who will listen; but it is also a warning for those who refuse. Why did the message of John the Baptist and the message of Jesus meet with resistance and deaf ears? It was out of jealously and spiritual blindness that the scribes and Pharisees attributed John the Baptist's austerities to the devil and they attributed Jesus' table fellowship as evidence for messianic pretense. They succeeded in frustrating God's plan for their lives because they had closed their hearts to the message of John the Baptist and now to Jesus. Like the generation of Jesus' time, our age is marked by indifference and contempt, especially in regards to the things of heaven. Indifference dulls our ears to God's voice and to the good news of the gospel. Only the humble of heart can find joy in God's grace and favor.
Q.1 This parable teaches us that everyone does not receive the messages of John and Jesus in the same way, Why is that so? Q.2 How can the Gospel be better shared?
Closing Prayer
"Lord, open our ears to hear the good news of your kingdom and set our hearts free to love and serve you joyfully. Let nothing keep us from following you wholeheartedly as we live day by day in this fallen world. Help us to remain as salt and light that we might in our own small way bring others to see the light of your salvation. Lead us away from those things in this life that serve as a distraction from the Gospel message, and lead us toward those things that point us to the Gospel message, and enable us so that we may be a better image representing the Christian way of life. Be with those of our acquaintance now who need your healing touch________. Bless those mentioned here and those who remain in our hearts that they may feel your strength and comfort, to help them through their time of trial and distress.
Pg4
"Meditation:
In each of Jesus’ parables there is a message, and most of the time it is easily discernable but also in each parable there are other messages not quite so obvious. This parable of the sulking Children is one of those parables with several messages.
First there is the admonition to the people that they are not responding either to John’s message nor the message that Jesus is bringing. Why is that? This is (typical conduct of a distracted people). What are they looking for? What music do they want to hear?
Second, There are three groups of Children in this parable and there is implied that one group is unconcerned about their salvation, And wants nothing from either of the other two groups. It is apparent that nothing suits them. What is it that will bring them around? But Salvation is being offered through Jesus Christ. Is there a special someone, (a pied piper perhaps) that can attract their attention?
Third, There is the notion that they are a people who are just not interested unless there is something sensational connected to it. The songs, happy or sad, appealing or foreboding yet still they are unmoved. What will it take to move them? They seem unmoved by the Gospel message, so how can they be reached?
Fourth, They are not moved to believe because they have been blinded by the notion that there is more to life than what they are experiencing, and Jesus isn’t delivering. He is not a mighty warrior king, a super star. Nor is he able to destroy their enemies. What can we do to make them understand that eternal life is in the balance?
Doesn’t all of this remind you of something that is quite familiar to us today? If it doesn’t then you are not living in the world where I live. This is Satan’s playground, the distracted children are listening for anything to charm them and Satan has the flute.
The children in Jesus' parable react with disappointment because they cannot induce anyone to join in their musical medley. They complain that if they play their music at weddings, no one will dance or sing; and if they play at funerals, it is the same. This refrain echoes the words of Ecclesiastes 3:4 -- there is a time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance. But unlike the author of the book of Ecclesiastes, we Christians center our hope in Heavenly realms, not on earthly things which offer nothing more than a temporary dalliance.
Jesus' message of the kingdom of God is a proclamation of good news and of great joy for those who will listen; but it is also a warning for those who refuse. Why did the message of John the Baptist and the message of Jesus meet with resistance and deaf ears? It was out of jealously and spiritual blindness that the scribes and Pharisees attributed John the Baptist's austerities to the devil and they attributed Jesus' table fellowship as evidence for messianic pretense. They did not care to hear that they were sinners needing forgiveness. They were too proud to even believe that they had faults. They succeeded in frustrating God's plan for their lives because they had closed their hearts to the message of John the Baptist and now to Jesus.
Meditation cont. Pg.5
What can make us spiritually dull and slow to hear God's voice? Like the generation of Jesus' time, our age is marked by indifference and contempt, especially in regards to the things of heaven. Indifference dulls our ears to God's voice and to the good news of the gospel. Only the humble of heart can find joy in God's grace and favor.
Questions:
1. Do you know the joy of the gospel? That should be an easily answered question, is it? If your answer is affirmative, can you sell it to others?
2. Why do you believe? What is there in your life that brought you to Christ?
3. Do you consider yourself a faithful disciple, if so can you explain it to others?
4. Have you ever witnessed to or shepherded anyone? Your children perhaps?
5. How do we as Christians and Disciples of Christ make this a better more receptive age? Is there room for improvement?
6. What is there that offers the distractions that can draw one away from worship of God? What can we do about it?
7. The signs of the times point to a decline in the number of Christians in the world today, do you agree? Is this matter something that should concern the Christian, as it did Jesus?
8. What do you think is the cause of the decline in the number of Christians in the world today? Where do we need to focus?
9. What do you think that Jesus would ask of us? Has he already asked?
10. Who are the pipers today? Who are the mourners today?
There are many steps we can take to participate: praising, forgiving, affirming, trusting, risking, witnessing, serving, loving, even becoming an example for others. The parable tells us that it is time to begin. Don’t sit and sulk as if there is nothing to go for, join in, fill your dance card, take a chance, do not miss this opportunity.
Do not allow the wiles of Satan to interfere with what you already know, There is no fulfilling life without Jesus in it, so let nothing said, nor any detractors keep you from your enjoyment of it. It is a joy filled life, even with the cares of this world that seem to bring us low from time to time, and even when there seems to be no justice in the circumstances that life sometimes brings to our door. These things will pass, as will our time on this earth.
But this one thing is certain, There is a day of reckoning coming, and the wise person will stand who has chosen to follow Jesus and his promises. Let there be no doubt, God is in control and there is no alternative salvation.
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