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Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?

What were your expectations when you became a Christian? Did you think all your problems would go away? Did you think life would become easier? Maybe you thought your spouse would get better, or your kids would start to obey, or your boss would give you a raise? Whatever your expectations, if you have ever had the thought that there should be “more” to the Christian life, you’re not alone. If you’ve ever quietly asked “Lord, am I supposed to feel more?” That’s what John the Baptist was asking. “You’re great an all Jesus, but is there more to this whole thing?” He didn’t feel all that liberated from the bowels Herod’s prison, but he was. You may not feel like life is all that abundant, but it is. You are an heir to the King! You are forgiven! God loves YOU! Amazing!

For John the Baptist has come eating no bread and drinking no wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon. ’ 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! ’ Yet wisdom is justified by all her children.

Jesus is basically saying “the proof is in the pudding.” Look at his life, look at his followers, is he offering judgment without love? One of the phrases you’ve probably heard a lot is that Jesus was a “friend of sinners” and Luke 7 is where it comes from. The only problem is, that’s actually the opposite of what this verse says. Yes, the opposite. Jesus is illustrating how no mater what the truth is, those who are opposed to God will always misunderstand. They said John the Baptist had a demon… did he? No! They said Jesus was a glutton and a drunkard… was he? No! In the same way, they said Jesus was a ‘friend of… sinners…’ was he? No! Jesus was a HUGE friend for repentant sinners, but that’s not who you are. I don’t like it when Christians describe themselves as ‘I’m just a sinner, saved by grace.’ No, actually, you’re not. If you’re saved by grace, you’re no longer a sinner. If Jesus is your friend, you’re not a sinner, you’re a saint. Sure, you’re a FORMER sinner, but if you’re saved, you’re clean, your forgiven, you are washed. Jesus, friend of saints.

a leper came to him and knelt before him, saying, “ Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.” And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I will; be clean.” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.

God can do anything… but he won’t. Jesus never refused to heal anyone, but he did usually point out their faith. The man who needed healing knew that Jesus COULD heal him, only that it was a matter of God’s will. It’s never a matter of what God COULD do for you, only what is in his will. We also know that even as a bad parent only wants what’s best for their child (Matt 7), so too, God’s will is always what’s best for us. Come to Jesus with this kind of attitude… “Lord, if you will, you can…” then if he doesn’t do it, you know it’s not what’s best… if he does, he gets the credit (either way). Follow him, trust him…

This is probably the favorite of verse of those who don’t like the church…

Judge not lest ye be judged

But Jesus’ point was not to simply “not judge ever,” but to do so realizing. He always takes a closer, deeper, more intimate view of YOU than the one you are trying to knock down a peg.

Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults— unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. (the Message)

As believers, we are supposed to be discerning, and we are supposed to hold other believers to account, but not with a critical spirit. We are called to make judgments (based on God’s word) to help fellow believers (in love) become more Christlike. Our judgment is not for the outside world, but for those in the church (cf. 1Cor 5)

Shorter: Just don’t be a jerk 🙂

Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.

If a man washes a dish, but his wife doesn’t see it, did it ever happen? Why we do things matters. When we pray, when we give, when we serve… it’s only natural to seek affirmation “you’re doing a good job…” and there’s nothing wrong with that, just be sure you do those things whether or not those encouragements are spoken. Don’t think you’re prayers are better because you say the right words, or the right people hear them, God hears your heart. Give because of what God’s given to you… Jesus. Love (serve) others because of God’s love. That’s not easy… God knows every single thing you do, when you don’t get an “atta boy” he remembers. One day, he will say “remember back when you cared for this person in my name and no one said ‘good job?’ well, well done good and faithful servant.” I’d rather have God notice than people anyway. 🙂