January 15th Devotion

Matthew 11:16-19 (NIV)
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 flute 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 actions."

You just cannot please some people. That is basically what Jesus said here. They are critical of you, no matter what you do. He compares Israel with children that complain about no one dancing when they played their flute, and no one mourning when they sang a dirge (a song of grief). Jesus embraced the crowd by eating and drinking with them (referring to playing their flutes), and he was called a glutton and drunkard. John refrained from these things (referring to their singing a dirge), and they said he was demon possessed. That obviously effected both John and Jesus, but it did not stop them from doing what they were called to do.

There is a good chance that this type of criticism has happened to you at one time or another. If so, I would like to encourage you. Simply do what you know God wants you to do. I cannot tell you how many times I have been praised and criticized about my sermon, in the same service. I am thankful that I don’t usually worry about pleasing people. However, I am concerned with pleasing God. Be sure to be a God pleaser, and let the complaints come as they may. Don’t worry about it. Dance to God’s tune.

Love, Pastor Don