“To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others: We played the pipe for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.” Matthew 11:16-17
Jesus starts this section out with talking about John the Baptist. John had sent some men to find out more about Jesus. After answering them, Jesus asks the people who they thought John was.
John the Baptist was a different sort of man. He did not fit the normal “church” person. He didn’t were a suit and tie, eat the same fancy foods, or live in the nice homes. The world did not like John.
Now He compares the people like children. Children imitate what they see. Most of what they see is seen in their parents. Watch how children act and play and you will have a good idea of what the parents are like. Although this is not accurate all the time, it is the majority of the time.
Here Jesus talks about the children playing an instrument and singing. As children play an instrument they expect those around to dance with them. As they sing a sad song, they expect others to mourn with them.
The world is singing “happy” songs and want you to dance with them. They are “living” up the life and cannot understand why you will not join them. Or why you will not mourn with the world over the same things.
The world rejoices when the stock market is up and mourns when it is down. As a believer, neither is of real concern because his focus is on Jesus.
What do you sing about? What makes you rejoice? What makes you sad?
Every person is a child of someone. Your father is either the devil or God. Who are you imitating?
As you play and sing, are you playing and singing what God is doing? Are you being an imitation of Jesus?
Jesus will not dance to the music of the world. He will not get excited over the actions of the world. What life are you living today?
I pray today that God will draw you closer to Him; that you will live your life in imitation of Jesus; that you will not live like the devil; that you will follow Jesus with all of your heart, soul, mind and heart; and that God will work in and through you to build His kingdom.
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