LIKE CHILDREN ON A PLAYGROUND!

LIKE CHILDREN ON A PLAYGROUND!

Luke 7:31-32

31 And the Lord said, Whereunto then shall I liken the men of this generation? and to what are they like?

32 They are like unto children sitting in the marketplace, and calling one to another, and saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned to you, and ye have not wept.

          Some time ago someone relayed to me the frustration felt by a member of another church in town. This man said: “The people are carrousel Christians!” The image is of a child on a playground who rushes to climb upon the merry-go-round but will not take a turn to push. They love the thrill of the ride but expect others to make the machine go. Soon nobody is pushing and they just sit there. You can get your own swing to move but first you must kick off and then strain at the chains. The teeter-totter requires the counter balance of another partner.

          Jesus complained that the people of His generation were unresponsive. No matter what game you suggested they did not want to play. If you played happy music they would not dance. If you tried to catch their somber mood then they would not mourn.

          Both Matthew and Luke include this commentary of Jesus. The context is the comparison of John Baptist’s ministry with that of Jesus. John was a recluse and they said he had a devil. Jesus was social and they called him a glutton and a drunkard; a real party animal. Jesus pointed out that the real problem was that it was impossible to please them. They were like pouting children who would not play the game no matter what game was chosen. An unresponsive spirit is a clear sign of apostasy. It was demonstrated by the people in Malachi’s time.

Mal 1:13

13 Ye said also, Behold, what a weariness is it! and ye have snuffed at it, saith the LORD of hosts; and ye brought that which was torn, and the lame, and the sick; thus ye brought an offering: should I accept this of your hand? saith the LORD.

[Ye have snuffed at it] A metaphor taken from cattle which do not like their fodder. They blow strongly through their nose upon it; and after this neither they nor any other cattle will eat it.

(From Adam Clarke's Commentary.)

          It’s time we grew up! We are too often like spoiled and pouting children, unresponsive and peevish. Let us do what this following verse says to do.

Eph 4:14-15

14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

Dear Lord, keep me from acting childish today. Help me to be eagerly responsive to your promptings. AMEN