Children in the MarketPlace

  

Leaders stand out because they are driven by a sense of purpose.

By Ben Dankaka

One day, Jesus compared the attitude of the Pharisees to a situation in the marketplace where some children complained because they played a flute but the people did not dance. And when they sang a funeral song, the people also didn’t mourn. When Jesus made that statement, He was concerned with the way the people had responded to both His ministry and that of John the Baptist. That is, when John came, the people ignored him and even called him a “demon”. And when Jesus Himself came and preached the same gospel but through a different technique, the people also insulted Him.

By nature, leaders stand out because they are driven by a sense of purpose. Recall that when John the Baptist showed up, He preached a unique message, and urged the people to repent. Unlike the Pharisees, he drank no wine, lived in the wilds and lived, eating locusts. Jesus on the other hand, interacted with people, even though He also preached the message of the kingdom. In contrast to the Pharisees, he mingled with “sinners”. So He was also criticized. But despite the condemnations, John and Jesus succeeded. You too will succeed in spite of the criticisms.

 

 

Prayer: Lord Jesus, give me the strength to face criticisms. Amen.

 

REFERENCES/FURTHER STUDY: Matthew 11:1-19

 

Unless otherwise stated all scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, New International Version.