God's Way Is Right

Luke 7:18-35

Key Verse: 7:29

"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."

How many of you know the song “My Way” popularized by Frank Sinatra many years ago? In fact, I do not know the whole song, but only the part that says, “I did my way.” I liked it because it seemed to satisfy my rebelliousness and pride. But after marriage, I have learned the very important lesson: when I do things my way, it will bring a lot of troubles. For the sake of peace in my family, it would be better to do things her way. As a sinful man, it is really hard to say, “Honey, I am sorry. You are right!” I want to do things my way, saying “I am right.” but that does not bring happiness or peace. But the way of God is always right. It brings us salvation and eternal life. In today's passage, Jesus challenges the people of his time to acknowledge that God's way is right especially in the matter of his world salvation plan. The way of God is Jesus. We may acknowledge that Jesus is the one who was to come, the Christ. Repenting of our sins in obedience to the word of God, we may acknowledge that God’s way is right.

I.          Are you the one? Yes, you are the one. (18-23)

            Look at verses 18 and 19. “John's disciples told him about all these things. Calling two of them, he sent them to the Lord to ask, "Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?" Who was John here? It was John the Baptist. In the wilderness of Judea, he preached the baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins: “The Kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news! You brood of vipers! Produce fruit in keeping with repentance!” His clear, and decisive message cut the hearts of many people. They came, confessed their sins and were baptized by John in Jordan River. But, suddenly he disappeared. What happened to him? Where was he now? He was in prison because he rebuked King Herod’s adultery. Pointing his finger at Herod and his wife seated on their golden thrones, he said, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife."'(Mark6:8) Immediately, he was dragged from the court, and thrown into the black dungeon below.

He had been in prison for several months. Since then, his disciples visited him and delivered him the top News of Galilee Times. No doubt, they must have told that Jesus had healed the Roman centurion’s servant, and that he raised a dead man, the only son of a widow in Nain, by simply saying “Young man, I say to you, get up!” (7:14) What was John’s respond? When John heard all these reports, he sent two of his disciples to Jesus and asked, “Are you the one who was to come?” or “Should we expect someone else?”  Didn’t he know Jesus? Yes, he knew Jesus. John was the forerunner of Jesus Christ. He even baptized Jesus. Moreover, he said to his two disciples, "Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”(Jn 1:29). Then, why would he ask such question: “Are you the one who was to come?” This might be worst time for John the Baptist. He was imprisoned because he did exactly what God wanted him to do. He might want to ask God, “Lord, what are you doing? Why am I in prison?” Then, John might remember Jesus and expect that Jesus would bring God’s judgment with fire. He might expect that Jesus would release the prisoners to bring righteous judgment. But what was Jesus doing? He was healing the sick people, driving out demons, raising up dead to life, and preaching the good news to the poor.  Didn't Jesus care about John who had devoted his life to prepare people's hearts for him? As the Savior of the world, did he suppose to get rid of all oppressions and injustice and bring peace to his people?  In this situation, John could be captured by doubt and lose his faith. But he did not let it happens. He struggled to understand what God is going. He struggled to understand God’s way and accept it no matter what. At the time of struggling to accept God’s way, he brought the question to Jesus. “Are you the one who was to come? Or should we expect someone else?” This is a necessary question to understand what God is doing and who Jesus really is. Here “we” include not only John and his disciples, but everyone. Not only John, but we should bring this question to Jesus and find the answer. This question is a big, and most important question. Depending on the answer, we will change our life direction. Think about what it means “Are you the one?” “Are you the one” means “Are you the one whom God promised to send into the world to save all peoples?” “Are you the one who is worth our life devotion, full love and obedience?” “Are you the one who can set us free from the power of sin and death?” “Are you the one who can satisfy my hungry soul?” “Are you the one who is worthy our worship and praise?” “Are you the one for whom I can sacrifice my life and endure sufferings, persecutions and rejections?” “Are you the one whom I can love with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength?”

I am really sure that we will face difficulties and hardships even though we are struggling to please God. We may face misunderstandings from loved ones, ministries that don't seem to grow, financial problems, struggles with our children, struggles with our health or maybe the health of others, struggles with our future direction, struggles with nagging sins, and struggles with things that we cannot understand. We learn here what to do when we are pressed with doubt in such situations. As John's disciples went to Jesus, so we must also honestly come to Jesus in prayer and Bible study with the question, "Are you the one?"  When we come to Jesus in our struggling, as Jesus promised us, we will find the answer: we will find Jesus. Then all our doubt will be resolved. Jesus' answer will solve our inner agonies. When John found the answer, he was able to faithful to God to the end.

Now, we long to find the answer. How did Jesus answer to the question? Look at verses 21-23. “At that very time Jesus cured many who had diseases, sicknesses and evil spirits, and gave sight to many who were blind. So he replied to the messengers, ‘Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me.” “Yes, I am the one!” That might be the answer John expected from Jesus. However, Jesus did not directly answer the question. Instead, he did point out what was happening in his ministry. See all that happens: “Blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cured, deaf hear, the dead are raised and the good news is preached to the poor.”  According to Isaiah 35, Jesus was doing what the Bible already said the Messiah would do. Jesus is the one who was to come. Then, we wonder why Jesus didn’t reply to them more directly by saying “Yes, I am the one who was to come. And you don’t have to expect someone else.” I think it’s because the question “Are you the one?” should be answered not by Jesus but by us. There is no question who Jesus is. See all what he had done for us, and hear all the wonderful words of life given to us through the Bible.  No doubt. Jesus is the one. He is the son of God. Then why do we doubt? It is because we do not learn of Jesus. It is because we do not learn from Jesus. Jesus said, “Report what you see and what you hear.” Jesus did not want men to accept him as the Messiah because he claimed to be Messiah. Jesus did not tell Peter who he really was. One day, he asked Peter, “Who do you say I am?” Peter confessed, “You are the Christ, the son of the living God.” How did Peter who was stubborn and really slow to learn know this? Following Jesus, he had seen all what Jesus had done and he had heard all what Jesus said. He had studied Jesus, and learned from Jesus. He finally concluded that Jesus is the Christ, the son of living God.

We have doubt in our hearts. It is not because Jesus did not answer the question, but because we do not study the Bible. It is because we do not accept the word of God as the word of God. Jesus wants us to study the Bible and see all what Jesus had done and hear the words of life. Jesus wants us to believe in him and confess, “You are the one. You are the Christ.” We brought the question “Are you the one?” Then what is the answer? “Yes, you are the one.”

Jesus' way of working is not always what we might expect. Jesus may not give us what we expect.  He may not do what we want. He might give us more troubles, hardships, and difficulties. Jesus did not promise John to rescue. In fact, John will be beheaded soon. But look at verse 23. "Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me." It is a great promise that those who accept Jesus as the one are most blessed. Even though John was in prison and would lose his life there, he was blessed as long as he held on to Jesus in faith. Following Jesus, and carrying out God’s mission, we might face all kinds of problems: health problem, children problem, marriage problem, financial problem. Jesus might not resolve all our problems. All problems might  be the God’s way. There are always God’s good will and purpose. But Jesus promises that we are blessed when we hold on to him in faith. Jesus will bring us something much bigger, much better than what we expect. Jesus will remove the curse upon us. He will destroy the power of sin and death and bring salvation to sinner. Jesus is not going to get into our little box. God is working mightily according to his perfect plan and schedule. Though we don’t understand everything God does, we need to trust that God is the sovereign over all and everything: God is good: God is right. We should lay aside our selfish and narrow mind, but expend our heart and our faith to accept God’s way no matter what. I pray that each of us may know and confess that Jesus is the one. Jesus is the one who is worthy of our life commitment, love and devotion. We may not wait for someone, but fully commit our life to Jesus for Jesus is the one.

II.        What did you go out to see? (24-28)

After John's disciples left, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John. Jesus did not criticize him. Instead, asking them a series of rhetorical questions about John and his ministry, Jesus affirmed that John was the forerunner of the Messiah. Moreover, Jesus deeply admired him as a great man of God saying that among those born of women there is no one greater than John.  Look at verses 24-26. “After John's messengers left, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: "What did you go out into the desert 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.”

What did these people go out into the desert to see? They went out to see the man who had the word of truth. He was not like a reed swayed by the wind. His uncompromising message of repentance stirred the whole nation Israel and prepared their hearts to receive Jesus. What did they go out in the desert to see? They went out to see the man who committed his life to God’s mission. He did not allow worldly temptation or political ambition to hinder his life of mission. He devoted his whole life to fulfilling his mission to prepare the way for the Lord. What did they go out to see? Prophet! Yes, they went out to see the Prophet who can proclaim the message of God’s judgment. I thank God for blessing RURP Bible Study Meeting with many new students. Why did they come to the Bible Study? I do not think they came to hear the wisdom of the world. I do not think they came to see Beautiful Hannah Hong. I believe they came to hear the words of God. They came to hear the word of truth. Let’s pray for RURP to grow as men and women of God like John the Baptist. God does not need another rich man. God does not need another smart man. But God needs a man who has the word of God and God’s mission. God needs the man who can proclaim the message of repentance and prepare the hearts of others for Jesus. God needs a man who can devote this life for God’s mission, especially for the campus mission. Let’s pray for RURP to grow as men and women of God’s mission like John the Baptist.

Look at verse 28. “I tell you, among those boron of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” John was the great man. According to Jesus’ comment, John was the greatest among all the prophets. Is that what Jesus wants to teach? Of cause, John was the greatest prophet for he was the one who directly prepared the way for the Lord, Jesus. He was the only prophet who saw, heard, and touched Jesus. But I do not think that is what Jesus wants to teach. Jesus wants to teach the way of God, the way of salvation through Jesus Christ.

Look at verse 28b. Jesus also said, "... he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he." What does it mean that the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than John who was the greatest? Of cause, it does not mean that John would be the least in the kingdom of God. John was the greatest of all, yet people cannot enter the kingdom of God through John and through the Baptism of repentance. John’s baptism is not enough, though it helps us to prepare our hearts for Jesus. We can enter the kingdom of God only through Jesus, the Son of God. Salvation comes only through Jesus Christ, there is no one else. We should know Jesus. We should believe in Jesus, the Son of God. We should believe in the blood Jesus shed on the cross and the resurrection of Jesus. All prophets in the Old Testament like Abraham, Moses, and King David were blessed for they had the promise of God and even saw the glory of God. But John the Baptist was more blessed for he could prepare the way for the Lord, Jesus.  But we are much more blessed than John, for we have the fulfillment of God’s promise, Jesus Christ. We have the grace of forgiveness of sin by the power of the blood of Jesus. We have salvation in Christ. We have the living hope in the kingdom of God through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. I used to think how awesome it would be to be Moses. Now I think, how foolish of me to think that, because what I have in Christ is greater than what Moses had. We have salvation in Christ. The way of God is the way of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. The way of God is gospel of Jesus.

III. Acknowledge God's way is right (29-35)

Jesus taught them the way of God. This did not happen by accident. It had been planed by God. It had been carried out by servants of God through out the history. Finally, it would be accomplished by Jesus Christ. Let's read verses 29-30. "(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 experts in the law rejected God's purpose for themselves because they had not been baptized by John.)"

We see that there are only two kinds of people: those who acknowledge that God's way is right and those who do not. How did people acknowledge that God’s way is right? They had been baptized by John. They responded to John’s message in obedience. Though John called the crowds a brood of vipers, comparing them to the devil; though he told them that they were nothing more than firewood for hell unless they repented of their wicked lifestyles, they were not offended. Rather, humbly they accepted John’s message. They acknowledge that their ways were not right. They acknowledged that they were sinners, that they needed salvation, and that they needed a savior. Repenting of their sins, they turned from their way of sin to the way of God, Jesus. In obedience to the words of God, they acknowledge that God’s way is right.

But, look at verse 30. The religious leaders refused to acknowledge that God's way was right. They could not accept Jesus, as the promised Messiah. They had their own expectation about what the Messiah would do for them, and for the nation. To them, God’s way seems ridiculous, and foolish. How could Jesus, a carpenter, restore the glory of the kingdom of David? How could the shameful death on the cross defeat the power of sin and death? It was ridiculous.  But that is the God’s way and God’s way is right. When God’s way was different from their way and from their expectation, they rejected it. They rejected John. They rejected Jesus. Eventually, they rejected God’s purpose for themselves. Jesus compared them to children in the marketplace, playing a game. Look at verses 31-32. At that time, some children played a game, dividing into two groups. When one group of children played the flute, imitating a joyful wedding, the other group of children was suppose to dance. Then all of a sudden, when they started to sing a dirge, they were supposed to pretend to cry, beating their chest. Actually it would be fun game if all follow the instructions. But since they were so childish and rebellious, they only ended up fighting, blaming each other by saying, “We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; No, we sang a dirge, and you did not cry. No, you didn’t, No, you didn’t”

Look at verses 33 and 34. Jesus was saying that the Jewish religious leaders were just like these children in the market place. When John the Baptist came and live a holy life, they accused him of being demon-possessed. On the other hand, Jesus came and mingled with the people, even eating and drinking with them, and then they accused him saying, “He is a glutton, and a friend of tax collectors and sinners.” Whatever messages or whoever messengers are sent by God, they are going to reject the way of God because they do not want to repent of their sins. They do not want to acknowledge that their way is wrong, but God’s way is right. Jesus was not discouraged for he knew the fruit of God's way would prove itself. Look at verse 35. "But wisdom is proved right by all her children." John offered the wisdom of God (Who is Jesus Christ) to people of Israel, and told them to repent of their sins. Many listened to John’s words and were baptized.  “Children of wisdom” then are all those who were wise enough to take to heart the message of John and Jesus. Among two kinds of people, who has the salvation? Who receive the forgiveness of sins? Who has the living hope in the kingdom of God?  It is those who acknowledge that God’s way is right through their obedience to the word of Jesus. God's way of salvation, through repentance and Jesus' death for our sins and resurrection from the dead, is God's marvelous wisdom in saving sinners. The children of God who pass through life's trials with faith in Jesus, also prove that God's wisdom is right by the fruit of their lives. God’s way is right. Though we can not understand it, still God’s way is right.

There might be moment of doubt and discouragement and God dose not blame us for our weakness. But he wants us to see his great salvation though Jesus Christ in our lives and trust in his absolute sovereignty. He wants us to acknowledge that his way is right, though it is different from our way. Even though we say that we are Christians, how often we do things our way, not God’s way? How often are we disappointed because we fail to see God’s salvation in and around us? We need to overcome discouragement and doubt and stop living “my way”, but start to live God’s way. Jesus is our way. Let's put aside our own expectations and thoughts and look at Jesus. Let's each of us today accept from our hearts that God's way is right.