Jan 7, 2010 – Different Strokes for Different Folks – Luke 7

In Luke 7, after Jesus had been talking about the life and purpose of John the Baptist, in verses 33-35, he compared the perspectives of people's view of John and of Himself. He said that some people viewed John the Baptist and his ascetic lifestyle and thought he had a demon. Then he said about Himself that He came eating and drinking and people thought him to be a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners. Then comes a key verse in 35 – “But wisdom is proved right by all her children.” In other words, John had a different role and purpose than Jesus. So they behaved differently. In both cases, wisdom was shown to be true in both their lives. We should not think someone is odd because they do ministry or service differently than we do. We should not think someone is a sinner because they do not follow the practices we follow. We should look at their life and see if they are bearing fruit. If God’s purposes are being served, then perhaps this person who is so different from us is also one of wisdom’s children. Learn to appreciate all the variety of wisdom personified in different people. God has good and great purposes for all His followers and we should not expect them to all look the same!