Do you find this to be a puzzling scripture, I did?  After speaking the above riddle, the Lord spoke about how some of the people said John was demon possessed and that the son of man was a glutton and drunkard. He then went on to condemn the cities of Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum because of their lack of repentence at the works of God on display. 

Wanna dance, wanna mourn?
Let’s try to unpact what is happening here. If children were playing music in the street and other kids came along, what would be a natural response?  To join in the celebration obviously, by dancing, by singing or maybe to bring one of their own instruments.  Again, if sorrowful music is played at a funeral, what would be the natural response – to mourn, to cry or at least express sorrow for the families loss. These are natural responses to music and funeral ceremonies.

Later in the chapter the Lord condemned three cities because although the mighty works of God had been displayed in them there was no response of repentance to be found. 

Am I numb inside?
Jesus seems to provide both natural and supernatural examples for how people should respond. In the natural, children were playing and having fun – but others who happen along are to “distracted” to join in fun. In the supernatural, God had come to visit three cities and the people scarcely noticed. Almost as if to say the people of that generation were dead inside. The heart, emotions, and soul had become disconnected from what was happening on the outside.

“To what shall I compare this generation?” Have we become that generation?

I fear that many of us have become hardened, unfeeling, unmoved in these days. Have we become traumatized by life so that nothing moves us any longer?  Are we going through life with dead emotions; does a move of God no longer stir our souls? 

In these days, ancient prophetic scriptures are being fulfilled at blinding speed and yet many are unaffected. God is also doing things we’ve never seen nor expected; do we have eyes to see and be moved?

Prayer starters

• God, please show me what you are doing in these days and give me a heart to respond.
• Dear Lord, I’ve had so much hardship and trauma recently that my emotions feel dead inside.  Please revive me and bring me back to life.
• Father, I’ve become so busy “keeping it all together” that I no longer even recognize the time of your visitation.  Awaken my eyes and open my ears to see and hear once again. 

Tell me what you think?