#42 Luke 7:24-30 A Reed Swayed By The Wind?
On October 24, 2021 by Amy BurginJoy:
Episode#42 Luke 7:24-30
Welcome
Amy:
Welcome to The Christgazing Podcast. We are so glad you’re here. I’m Amy Burgin.
Joy:
I’m Joy Burgin
Amy:
If you are anything like us, you desire God’s presence and divine direction every day of your life. This podcast makes space for that. We offer few words of our own here and make room for Christgazing, the act of looking steadily and intently at Christ. Each week we read one passage from scripture several times and create stillness after each reading that we might be still ourselves and intimately, personally know God.
We are in a series that takes us through the book of Luke, focusing on the things Jesus said and did when he walked the earth. In the last episode, we saw John the Baptist send his disciples to ask Jesus the most important question on the planet, “Jesus, are you our savior, or should we look elsewhere?” Jesus answered their question with a display of miracles. After John’s messengers left, Jesus spoke to the crowd about John. Today, we get to listen in on those words.
Pour Out Your Heart to God
Amy:
Before we begin, take the next minute to give God the things stored up in your body, your mind, and your heart. Maybe it is thanksgiving, anger, conflict at work or home, sadness, apathy, disgust, worry, love, peace, expectation, dread. Whatever your body feels, your mind thinks, or your heart desires, name it and bring it to the Lord in these next few moments.
What Does This Passage Say About God?
Joy:
going to read today’s passage two times. As I read, consider the question, What does this passage say about God?
Luke 7:24-30 After John’s messengers left, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear expensive clothes and indulge in luxury are in palaces. But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written:
‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’
I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”
(All the people, even the tax collectors, when they heard Jesus’ words, acknowledged that God’s way was right, because they had been baptized by John. But the Pharisees and the experts in the law rejected God’s purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John.)
Again?
Luke 7:24-30 After John’s messengers left, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear expensive clothes and indulge in luxury are in palaces. But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written:
‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’
I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”
(All the people, even the tax collectors, when they heard Jesus’ words, acknowledged that God’s way was right, because they had been baptized by John. But the Pharisees and the experts in the law rejected God’s purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John.)
Take the next minute to answer the question: What does this passage tell you about God?
[Pause and know]What Does This Passage Say About People?
Joy:
As I reread the scripture, consider the question: What does this passage tell you about people?
Luke 7:24-30 After John’s messengers left, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear expensive clothes and indulge in luxury are in palaces. But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written:
‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’
I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”
(All the people, even the tax collectors, when they heard Jesus’ words, acknowledged that God’s way was right, because they had been baptized by John. But the Pharisees and the experts in the law rejected God’s purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John.)
Take the next minute to answer the question: What does this passage tell you about people?
[Pause and know]Lord, What Would You Have Me Know or Do Today?
Joy:
As I read for the last time, ask God the question, “Lord, what would you have me know, do, or pray today in response to this passage?”
Luke 7:24-30 After John’s messengers left, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear expensive clothes and indulge in luxury are in palaces. But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written:
‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’
I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”
(All the people, even the tax collectors, when they heard Jesus’ words, acknowledged that God’s way was right, because they had been baptized by John. But the Pharisees and the experts in the law rejected God’s purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John.)
Take time to ask God, “Lord, what would have me know or do today?”
[Pause and listen]Blessing
Joy: Christgazer, the Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. May you keep your face turned toward Jesus today and know him more.
One Response
Amy:
Jesus points out that John the Baptist was no reed swayed by the wind.
When the people loved him, flocked to the wilderness to see him, John did not allow this favor, this multitude of likes, to compel him. He kept the spotlight off himself and continued his business of pointing to Christ.
When Herod hated him for denouncing his sins, John did not allow this rage to compel him. He stood his ground, calling for the repentence of sin to make way for the King of kings, to the point of his imprisonment and beheading.
I want to be like John, a woman compelled only by Christ to do that which he has called me to do. I do not want wish to be compelled by the political or religious winds of the time. God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. I do not wish to be compelled by a multitude of likes, a silent audience, a single disaproving face, or even my mistakes. I do not wish to be compelled by the scheming of mainstream media, alternate media, or social media.
Oh God, make us steady. This is our desire.
God’s answered this prayer. It’s his desire too. He’s answered this prayer to make us steady in Ephesians 4:11 – 16, which says “Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”
Wow. People with temporary powers wrongly deemed grand and long-lasting may severe our heads like they did John’s, but when we turn from our sins, make Jesus the lord of our lives, that is one head from which we can never be severed.
Glory to God. We do not have to be a reed swayed by the wind.
Closing
Amy: As always, you can find a transcript of this episode at amyburgin.com. Joy and I will be back again next week to go Christgazing together. Until then, remember with us, when you put your trust in Christ, you are one in whom he dwells and delights, a dearly loved child of God. You are royalty in his strong and unshakeable kingdom. Though trouble abounds, Christ prevails, and so do you.
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