Results

Advent Meditations

December 11, 2020

Results

“But wisdom is shown to be right by its results.”

Matthew 11:19b

Read Matthew 11:16-19

Jesus ends his discussion about John the Baptist with a comparison of his ministry and John’s ministry by using a children’s game. Of John, who was austere and always serious, Jesus said, “. . . so we played funeral songs, and you didn’t mourn.” That is, John preached repentance for the Kingdom of God, and the people did not respond. Oh, some, maybe even many, did respond, for a while. Ultimately, the people went on with their life, and the powerful killed John.

Of his own ministry, Jesus said, “. . . ‘We played wedding songs, and you didn’t dance.” Jesus’ ministry contrasts with John’s as Jesus feasts and drinks and was a friend of tax collectors and other sinners. As with John, the people did not respond. Oh, some did respond for a while, but ultimately the powerful killed Jesus.

So, what are the results that reveal wisdom? Jesus answer to John’s disciples are the results: “. . . the blind see, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor.” (Matthew 11:5)

My Takeaway: Today we see all sorts of contrasting styles in ministry. Some people meet in an informal manner, cups of coffee in hand and the speaker in an untucked shirt. Others gather in pomp and circumstance, clergy adorned in robes and colorful paraments throughout their sanctuary. These styles are all well and good if wisdom is being shown by its results: are disciples being made, is the Good News being preached to the poor?

Sē’lah

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(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com. The BLOG is also available on Amazon Kindle, by subscription.

 

Copyright © 2020 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.