Cousins doing Godly Work!

[seekeroftruth]

Luke 7:18 The disciples of John reported all these things to him. And John, 19 calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to the Lord, saying, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” 20 And when the men had come to him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to you, saying, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?’” 21 In that hour he healed many people of diseases and plagues and evil spirits, and on many who were blind he bestowed sight. 22 And he answered them, “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to them. 23 And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”​

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24 When John's messengers had gone, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 25 What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who are dressed in splendid clothing and live in luxury are in kings' courts. 26 What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 27 This is he of whom it is written,​

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“‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face,
who will prepare your way before you.’​

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28 I tell you, among those born of women none is greater than John. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” 29 (When all the people heard this, and the tax collectors too, they declared God just, having been baptized with the baptism of John, 30 but the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected the purpose of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him.)​

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31 “To what then shall I compare the people of this generation, and what are they like? 32 They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another,​

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“‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance;
we sang a dirge, and you did not weep.’​

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33 For John the Baptist has come eating no bread and drinking no wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’ 34 The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ 35 Yet wisdom is justified by all her children.”​

This is about John the Baptist. John was bringing in a New Faith. He Baptized people.

The Pharisees wouldn't wade into the water and baptize anyone. It wasn't their style. They were above everyone, telling them what to do and what not to do. This man John went around insulting Herod and his wife. Telling Herod to "Repent" was insulting. The Pharisees knew which side of the bread had butter and which side was plain. This man John went around teaching a Messiah was here! They didn't approve.

John put on quite a presence. He wore a hairy coat and ate honey. His father, Zechariah, was a Priest, but John didn't work in the Temple. He didn't go to society balls and hold grand fundraisers. He baptized people in the river and told them about the Savior, who's appearance was imminent. He never drank any alcohol. He never chawed. He never dined on caviar. He was as earthy as a sasquatch. He just baptized people in the river and told them to "Repent".

Those pharisees were living in the past and they didn't even know it. John was the one sent to prepare the way for Jesus. John knew Jesus from before he was born, he jumped in the womb when Mary showed up at Elizabeth's house pregnant with Jesus while Elizabeth was pregnant with John. John was an odd sort, but he was an excellent man.

Then again, as Jesus pointed out, those Pharisees called Jesus a glutton and a drunk who couldn't pick the "right" friends to hang out with. That's in verse 34.

The Pharisees rejected John the Baptist because of the clothes he wore. The Pharisees rejected John the Baptist for political reasons as well. They couldn't take John's side over Herod. That would not butter their bread.

The Pharisees rejected Jesus because he hung out with the wrong crowd and grew up in Nazareth. He was from "the wrong side of the tracks" as my mother would say. Nobody of any standing came from Nazareth. It was a nothing town.

John and Jesus did not fit the Pharisees idea of "Godly". They didn't dress "right", and they didn't hang out with the "right" people. The Pharisees rejected them.

John and Jesus were judged!

John sent a message to Jesus, asking Him if He was indeed the Messiah. Jesus didn't just say "yep", He sent proof. He pointed out the healings.

Cousin John was baptizing people and Cousin Jesus was healing and preaching!

Cousins doing Godly Work!