Today’s reading is Matthew 11:1-12:50.
“For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds” (Matthew 11:18-19).
Look at how different John and Jesus were. John’s service to God was marked by asceticism. He was a minimalist. He wore a camel’s-hair garment and a leather belt. He ate locusts and wild honey. He spent the majority of his time in the wilderness. Jesus on the other hand was what we might call more normal. His service was marked by freedom. He ate normal food and drank normal drink. While he spent some time in the wilderness, most of his time was spent in town. He went to parties and banquets. He accepted invitations into folks’ homes. He was not guilty of the excesses of which He was accused. But at the same time, he didn’t view the potential accusations as reasons to back off of His normal freedoms.
One was more ascetic; one was more free. Which one was more spiritual? Neither. There was room in God’s plan for both. They didn’t have to compete, which is what often happens today.
I’ll give two practical examples of how I’ve seen this competition in play.
First, clothes in the assembly. In time past, our society was more formal in dress at every occasion. About the only place that has lingered for some is with the church’s assemblies. Some of us still view the assembly as a place to dress up in order to show respect to God. That isn’t a biblical command, but in the context of our culture, it makes sense. Others, having recognized it is not a command of God are becoming more lax. They even can come up with some good biblical reasons like not attracting attention to themselves based on wealth (cf. I Timothy 2:9-10). Sadly, both look down on the other as less spiritual. One is more ascetic; one is more free. Which is more spiritual? Neither. There is room for both.
Another example is music. Some Christians hold it as a badge of honor that they only ever listen to spiritual music and the Bible on cd. They brag about the cds they have in their car and how they use their drive time to just listen to sermons. They would never listen to any secular music. Others brag about their freedom in Christ to enjoy wholesome, but secular things. One is more ascetic; one is more free. Which is more spiritual? Neither. There is room for both.
Jesus and John were both part of God’s plan. They didn’t have to compete. They didn’t have to compare. They didn’t have to one-up each other. Why would we? There is room for both kinds of servants.
Keep the faith and keep reading,
ELC
PS. What struck you in today’s reading? Click the following link to add your input: Post a comment.
——————————————-
*Today’s illustration was generated by the creative tool at Wordle.net. You can find all my wordles here.









Today’s reading is Colossians 1:1-2:23.

