 |
| HOUSE OF SEALTHIEL - CONSTRUCTION December 15, 2019 |
"The Son of Man came eating and drinking and they said, ‘
Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard,
a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’
But wisdom is vindicated by her works.”
MATTHEW 11:19
Some religious leaders who criticized and rejected Jesus' message and ministry are never satisfied with anything He says or do. Their human wisdom is based on worldly standards and expectations, which often judge by appearances and prejudices. Their negative perception is based on their own biases, stereotypes, or expectations.
True wisdom is proven by the results or consequences of one’s actions. The word “wisdom” here refers to God’s plan of salvation, which is revealed through Jesus, the Son of Man. He is the embodiment of God’s wisdom, and those who believe in him are his children (John 1:12; 1 Corinthians 1:24, 30).
Divine wisdom is based on God’s revelation and grace, which often challenge and surprise human understanding. Jesus invites his listeners to trust in God’s wisdom, even if it seems foolish or scandalous to human wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:18-25; 2:6-16). He also warns them that they will be held accountable for their response to God’s wisdom, and that their actions will reveal their true character (Matthew 7:15-23; 12:33-37; Luke 6:43-45).
Jesus said to the crowds: “To what shall I compare this generation? It is like children who sit in marketplaces and call to one another, ‘We played the flute for you, but you did not dance, we sang a dirge but you did not mourn.’ For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they said, ‘He is possessed by a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking and they said, ‘Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is vindicated by her works.” (Matthew 11:16-19)
God is the source of wisdom and guidance for His people, and He wants them to follow His will and benefit from His blessings. God is faithful and gracious, even when His people are rebellious and ungrateful. He invites them to trust in Him and His plan for their salvation. Obey the Lord’s commandments and you shall enjoy peace and prosperity like a river that never runs dry. Your righteousness shall be like the waves of the sea, abundant and constant.
Thus says the Lord, your redeemer, the Holy One of Israel I, the Lord, your God, teach you what is for your good, and lead you on the way you should go. If you would hearken to my commandments, your prosperity would be like a river, and your vindication like the waves of the sea; Your descendants would be like the sand, and those born of your stock like its grains, their name never cut off or blotted out from my presence. (Isaiah 48:17-19)
There comes so much joy and satisfaction from obeying God’s commands and studying His word. A person who delights in the law of the Lord loves God’s word, reads it regularly, and applies it to his life.
Blessed the man who follows not the counsel of the wicked nor walks in the way of sinners, nor sits in the company of the insolent, but delights in the law of the Lord and meditates on his law day and night. He is like a tree planted near running water that yields its fruit in due season, and whose leaves never fade. Whatever he does, prospers. Not so the wicked, not so; they are like chaff which the wind drives away. For the Lord watches over the way of the just, but the way of the wicked vanishes. (Psalm 1:1-2, 3, 4, 6)
Jesus said, "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished." (Matthew 5:17-18:)
Jesus fulfilled the law of the Lord by living a perfect life, dying for our sins, and rising from the dead. He also taught us the true meaning and purpose of the law, which is to love God and love our neighbor. He said in Matthew 22:37-40: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets."
Therefore, let us all delight in the law of the Lord by loving God and His word, and to loving others as He loves us. Let us follow the example and teachings of Jesus, who is the Word of God made flesh. Then we shall experience the joy and peace that comes from knowing and obeying God’s will.
Pericope:
IV: Opposition from Israel
JESUS' TESTIMONY TO JOHN
Matthew 11:16-19
I: The Lord's Glory in Israel's Liberation
EXHORTATIONS TO THE EXILES
Isaiah 48:1-22
First Book of Psalms 1-41
TRUE HAPPINESS IN GOD'S LAW
Psalm 1:1-6
Reflection Source:
Copilot with Bing Chat