Wisdom is justified by all her children

 Then the disciples of John reported to him concerning all these things.  And John, calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to Jesus, saying, "Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?"  When the men had come to Him, they said, "John the Baptist has sent us to You, saying, 'Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?'"  And that very hour He cured many of infirmities, afflictions, and evil spirits; and to many blind He gave sight.  Jesus answered and said to them, "Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard:  that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them.  And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me." 

When the messengers of John had departed, He began to speak to the multitudes concerning John:  "What did you go out into the wilderness to see?  A reed shaken by the wind?  But what did you go out to see?  A man clothed in soft garments?  Indeed those who are gorgeously appareled and live in luxury are in kings' courts.  But what did you go out to see?  A prophet?  Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet.  This is he of whom it is written:

'Behold, I send My messenger before Your face,
Who will prepare Your way before You.'

"For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he."  And when all the people heard Him, even the tax collectors justified God, having been baptized with the baptism of John.  But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the will of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him.  And the Lord said, "To what then shall I liken the men of this generation, and what are they like?  They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another, saying:

'We played the flute for you,
And you did not dance;
We mourned to you,
And you did not weep.'

"For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, 'He has a demon.'  The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, 'Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!'  But wisdom is justified by all her children." 

- Luke 7:18-35

Yesterday we read that when He had finished preaching what is known as the Sermon on the Plain, Jesus entered Capernaum.  And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear to him, was sick and ready to die.  So when he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to Him, pleading with Him to come and heal his servant.  And when they came to Jesus, they begged Him earnestly, saying that the one for whom He should do this was deserving, "for he loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue."  Then Jesus went with them.  And when He was already not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, saying to Him, "Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof.  Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You.  But say the word, and my servant will be healed.  For I am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me.  And I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."  When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, "I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!"  And those who were sent, returning to the house, found the servant well who had been sick."  Now it happened, the day after, that He went into a city called Nain; and many of His disciples went with Him, and a large crowd.  And when He came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow.  And a large crowd from the city was with her.  When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, "Do not weep."  Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still.  And He said, "Young man, I say to you, arise."  So he who was dead sat up and began to speak.  And He presented him to his mother.  Then fear came upon all, and they glorified God, saying, "A great prophet has risen up among us"; and, "God has visited His people."  And this report about Him went throughout all Judea and all the surrounding region.

 Then the disciples of John reported to him concerning all these things.  And John, calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to Jesus, saying, "Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?"  When the men had come to Him, they said, "John the Baptist has sent us to You, saying, 'Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?'"  And that very hour He cured many of infirmities, afflictions, and evil spirits; and to many blind He gave sight.  Jesus answered and said to them, "Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard:  that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them.  And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me."  John the Baptist had been imprisoned soon after the Baptism of Jesus (Mark 1:14).  Although John had directed his disciples to follow Christ (John 1:29-31, 35-37), some were still with John.  Although John's own faith was no doubt strengthened by the signs which Christ performed, patristic commentators universally see this particular encounter as a means by which John convinced his remaining disciples that Christ was truly the Coming One.

When the messengers of John had departed, He began to speak to the multitudes concerning John:  "What did you go out into the wilderness to see?  A reed shaken by the wind?  But what did you go out to see?  A man clothed in soft garments?  Indeed those who are gorgeously appareled and live in luxury are in kings' courts.  But what did you go out to see?  A prophet?  Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet.  This is he of whom it is written:  'Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, who will prepare Your way before You.'  For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he."  My study bible says that although John the Baptist was the greatest prophet, his earthly life and ministry remained in the period of the old covenant.  The new covenant so far surpasses the old that the least in the kingdom is greater than the greatest outside it.  This doesn't imply that John will not be resurrected to the Kingdom, but rather that his life on earth came before something that was far superior.

And when all the people heard Him, even the tax collectors justified God, having been baptized with the baptism of John.  But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the will of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him.  This is framed by my study bible as a question of the recognition of authority (see yesterday's commentary).  Even the tax collectors recognize the authority in John the Baptist's ministry, but the Pharisees and the lawyers have rejected it.  (See also Matthew 21:23-27).

And the Lord said, "To what then shall I liken the men of this generation, and what are they like?  They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another,  saying:  'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we mourned to you, and you did not weep.'  For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, 'He has a demon.'  The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, 'Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!'"  Jesus uses the example of a children's game of the time.  Children would play this game by gathering into two groups.  One group played musicians, while the other would respond to the kind of music that was "played," either for mourning or dancing.   Here in Christ's example, the children complain that the others refuse to respond appropriately either way.  My study bible suggests that the Pharisees were so rigid in their religion that they were unable to respond and engage the world around them.  Therefore, they reject John as being too mournful and ascetic, and at the same time reject Christ as being too merciful and joyous.

"But wisdom is justified by all her children."  My study bible says that in spite of being rejected by the Pharisees, both John and Christ are justified, not by the opinions of men, but by their children -- that is, those who would come to believe and be faithful.  Augustine writes, "If you ask who those children are, read what is written, 'The sons of wisdom are the church of the just'" (quoting from Sirach 3:1).

What is wisdom?  This is closely linked to questions about true authority, as discussed in yesterday's commentary.  Is wisdom authoritative?  Why is it that these men of great learning, the Pharisees and lawyers, cannot see what is in front of them?  Why is it that they cannot recognize the authority in John the Baptist, who came as an ascetic, teaching people to mourn their sins in preparation for the Christ?  Why can they not see the authority in Jesus, who comes "eating and drinking" as at a wedding feast, a celebration of joy?  Where is wisdom, that we learn to embrace and follow, and find where it leads us?  In the Eastern Tradition, Holy Wisdom is considered an aspect of the Logos, the Lord as Son of God.  The largest Church in Christendom for many centuries was the splendid Hagia Sophia ("Holy Wisdom") of Constantinople.   Holy Wisdom is also closely connected with the Spirit, for as Jesus declares to His disciples at the Last Supper, "When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you." (see John 16:13-15).   In today's reading, we hear a lot about children and childishness.  Who are the ones who behave like children in the marketplace, demanding one thing or another, and complaining that they do not get it?  Who are the children of Wisdom?  They are those who are capable of recognizing the authority in the ministry of the Baptist, and in the ministry of Christ.  Augustine quotes from Sirach, and the quotation he cites reads in its fullness:  "The sons of wisdom are the church of the just: and their generation, obedience and love."  Let us consider obedience and love from the perspective of Christ.  The unruly children in the marketplace are those demanding their way, complaining that the others do not follow.  But the children of the just are the generation of obedience and love; that is, those who are capable of love and obedience to true wisdom.  How do we as disciples learn this love and obedience?  Do we take seriously the admonitions and commands of Christ to love one another as He has loved us?   Let us remember that His love includes discipline and teaching.  Where is our love of wisdom?  It is rooted in the heart willing to recognize this authority, awake to a sense of discipline that keeps us alert to His prompts by forsaking distractions.  How many of us can pledge ourselves to that life which both He and the Baptist exemplify?