Matthew 11:16-17 But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows, And saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented.
Jesus makes a comparison so that the people listening to Him preach can understand how He sees them. He says that they are not reacting to the message. They listen but they do not change. They listen but it doesn’t affect the way they live.
They are like children. They watch the show but nothing changes. Jesus and John the Baptist played instruments but they wouldn’t dance. They tried to get the people to mourn but they wouldn’t mourn.
They had two types of preachers, Jesus and John the Baptist, but they ignored both.
How do you fit into this scenario? Do you come to church, listen to the preaching, and go home to be the same person you have always been?
Do you act like it is because of the style of preaching you are listening to but the facts are that you have no intention of obeying God?
I challenge you as you go to church and hear the preaching to start responding. No wonder church and preaching becomes boring to you. You come to sit and watch a show not hear from God.
You come with no intention of obeying God.
Quit acting like an immature child. Respond to the message!
I read this in my devotions this morning. It really helped me better understand the passage.
Thanks,
Mark