Morning Bible Study: Luke 7:18-30

In Praise of John the Baptist

18 Then John’s [the Baptist] disciples told him about all these things. So John summoned two of his disciples 

19 and sent them to the Lord, asking, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”

20 When the men reached him, they said, “John the Baptist sent us to ask you, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?’”

21 At that time Jesus healed many people of diseases, afflictions, and evil spirits, and he granted sight to many blind people. 

22 He replied to them, “Go and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive their sight, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor are told the good news, 

23 and blessed is the one who isn’t offended by me.”

24 After John’s messengers left, he began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swaying in the wind? 

25 What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothes? See, those who are splendidly dressed and live in luxury are in royal palaces. 

26 What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 

27 This is the one about whom it is written:

See, I am sending my messenger
ahead of you;
he will prepare your way before you. [Malachi 3:1]

28 I tell you, among those born of women no one is greater than John, but the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”

29 (And when all the people, including the tax collectors, heard this, they acknowledged God’s way of righteousness, because they had been baptized with John’s baptism. 

30 But since the Pharisees and experts in the law had not been baptized by him, they rejected the plan of God for themselves.)

Commentary

What we can learn from this passage:

• Jesus came to not only restore bodies to health, but to restore souls. We are often only convinced of a thing if we can see it ourselves or if a discipline which seems infallible, such as science, can prove it to us. But the people who came to Jesus, came out of faith. They came knowing the Pharisees and other experts rejected Jesus as the Messiah, those very people who one would have thought at the time "knew better" or "knew more," they having studied the Torah extensively. It requires deep faith to go against those who are supposedly "your betters." 
• Jesus adds that those who believe in Him (not offended by me, v. 23) are blessed. A blessing is a grace bestowed upon a person. It is not of merit or earned, but given. Our eyes and hearts are opened to Jesus because we have been blessed, God has wrought a work in our hearts so we are able to see.
• Jesus redirects the question posed by John's disciples to scripture, the Word of God. The Word of God, in companion with the Holy Spirit, is our ultimate guide to truth. When society draws us in an ungodly direction, it is the Word that will give us truth and correct our path.