The parables of Jesus were mystifying to some of the people of His day. Those who despised the wisdom of the Gospel were filled with self-pride and false piety. They were merciless and demanding.
For judgment is without mercy to him who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
James 2:13
But the wisdom of God strengthened the faith of those who truly believed. Even when those with a fledgling faith struggled, Jesus had a tender response. Take a look.
He won’t break a bruised reed.
He won’t quench a smoking flax,
until he leads justice to victory.
In his name, the nations will hope.
Matthew 12:20-21
Sadly, many people today still miss the message of these stories. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
Jesus’ stories are for us so that we can understand His message. All who will believe can understand these teachings because the Spirit of God will reveal them. (1 Corinthians 2:9-10)
Let’s discover the true meaning of the Parable of the Children in the Marketplace.
“But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces, who call to their companions and say, ‘We played the flute for you, and you didn’t dance. We mourned for you, and you didn’t lament.’ For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Behold, a gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ But wisdom is justified by her children.”
Matthew 11:16-19
In this parable, Jesus compares His generation to children who are never satisfied. When He says, “We played the flute for you,” it reveals how the Jewish people rejected His tender message of grace and forgiveness.
When He says, “We mourned for you,” He shows how the people disliked John’s direct and grim message about repentance.
Jesus’ message was the marvelous call to eternal life for anyone who simply had faith to believe.
John’s message was the stark reminder that we are sinners. Sin leads to eternal separation from God.
Both messages were essentially the same-“…You must be born again.” (John 3:3)
You see, the style of preaching wasn’t the problem. The problem was the cold, stony hearts that heard the message. They refused to be warmed and drawn by the message of redemption through Christ, alone. These people harshly judged the sinners that Jesus welcomed.
Instead of believing, these people called John a lunatic and Jesus a blasphemer. They never expected the Messiah would reject their piety and embrace and encourage those who were struggling. But that was exactly why Jesus came. To reach out to the thief on the cross, the adulterous woman, and you and me!
Nothing He did makes sense in human terms. But the mysteries of God become clear when we believe. He wants us to find joy and grace as we walk through this life.
Now, let’s look at the end of the key verse. What does it mean-“wisdom is justified by her children?” Simply this. The prideful religious leaders and many Jewish people who chose a judgmental and worldy wisdom, missed the gift of salvation.
But God’s wisdom has been revealed in the lives of all who believe. When God’s sons and daughters are fully committed to Him the fruit of the Spirit will shine in our lives. The wisdom of our faith will be seen.
“…that their hearts may be comforted, they being knit together in love, and gaining all riches of the full assurance of understanding, that they may know the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, in whom all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden.”
Colossians 2:2-3
Share the Good News in your world!
Isaiah 52:7
World English Bible (WEB)
by Public Domain. The name “World English Bible” is trademarked.
Getting the Seed out of the basket and into hungry hearts. Matthew 13 