Matthew 11:16-20

¹⁶ “But what shall I compare this generation to? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their playmates,

¹⁷ “‘We played the flute for you, but you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not beat your breast in mourning.’

¹⁸ Because John came neither eating nor drinking, and they are saying, ‘He has a demon.’

¹⁹ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they are saying, ‘See! A gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ But wisdom is proved right by what it does.”

²⁰ Then he began to denounce the cities where most of his miraculous works had been done, because they did not repent.

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calling off the game

The kid was losing, so he called off the game. It was his ball, so he took it and went home. That is the kind of thing that Jesus is talking about here. The cities who had been first to hear the gospel preached to them, and who saw all the wonderful miracles demonstrating its truth – they had begun to reject him.

These were the cities of Galilee. That marvelous light shone in the land of Zebulun & Naphtali – Galilee of the nations. Now that land who had been privileged to see so much of what the LORD was doing had second thoughts about joining him. Darkness was winning them back. They criticized John the Baptist for his austere ways, and then began criticizing Jesus because he accepted the dregs of society.

Basically, these cities were telling God that if he wanted to save them, it would have to be on their terms. You do not tell God that. It’s his grace, his salvation, his plan. He sets the rules. You can join this generation and take your ball and go home if you want, but you will be missing out on the only thing that truly matters.

LORD, thank you for the many ways you have blessed us with your word and involved us in your plan. Give us the wisdom to accept this grace, and stay true to you.