Chapter # 7 Paragraph # 4 Study # 2
September 21, 2008
Lincolnton, N.C.
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• I. The Tension Between "Is" and "Ought".
  • A. That Jesus felt this tension seems obvious from His reaction.
    • 1. On the one hand, John's situation was significantly unpleasant because of the ungodliness of another (3:19-20).
    • 2. On the other hand, John's responsibility was very great (John 1:7 and Luke 12:48).
      • a. James declares a "greater condemnation" (overly severe translation) upon those who wield greater influence (James 3:1).
      • b. The divine commentary on David in 1 Kings 15:5 was that his only failure "all the days of his life" was "the matter of Uriah the Hittite."
        • 1) This "failure" was, according to 2 Samuel 12:9-10, met by God with a severe discipline.
        • 2) The severity matched the "crime" (2 Samuel 12:7-8).
    • 3. Though John's behavior in the eyes of men was not of the same magnitude as that of David's, there is a parallel danger.
      • a. David was told that he had "given great occasion to the enemies of Yahweh to blaspheme" (2 Samuel 12:14).
      • b. John's behavior created a significant need of correction by Jesus: this is why He immediately compelled the crowds to deal with it.
        • 1) Faith in Jesus, the most crucial issue of any man's existence, was at stake.
        • 2) John's question made the "faith" issue practically impossible if left unaddressed.
  • B. That Jesus handled this tension the way He did reveals His "split loyalties".
    • 1. On the one hand, Jesus had an enormous loyalty to John as His prophet.
    • 2. On the other hand, Jesus had an equal loyalty to the people for whom He came to die.
    • 3. Thus, Jesus "handled" John with gracious Truth and immediately moved to counter his impact upon the crowds by compelling them to give some thought to what was going on.
• II. Jesus' Question to the Crowds.
  • A. Was first a "wilderness" issue.
    • 1. The "wilderness" issue was first applied to John in Luke 1:80.
      • a. This was a major, and effective, element in John's own edification.
        • 1) It was "major" in that John had to have the proper "attitude".
        • 2) It was "effective" in that John developed that "attitude" (3:17).
      • b. This was a crucial addition to the early and permanent indwelling by the Spirit.
        • 1) The actual ministry of the Spirit to those whom He indwells is not as "magic" as we often think it should be, nor is it as "unilaterally effective" as we often think it should be.
        • 2) Besides the impact of the "outer" setting in terms of "theological" understanding, there is the impact of the "outer" setting in terms of growing in our "anthropology" (ourselves under the magnifying glass).
    • 2. The "wilderness" issue was then applied to John's audience in Luke 3:2.
      • a. It is an unhappy reality that "words" do not have the impact they are capable of having if the "setting" is not "right".
        • 1) Words spoken mildly are easily ignored.
        • 2) Words spoken fiercely will be ignored if there is a pattern of non-enforcement.
        • 3) Words about the extreme dangers of hedonism, covetousness, or status seeking, spoken in an obviously hedonistic, covetous, or glory-seeking setting will be ignored.
      • b. Even when the "outer" setting is "right", words will fall to the ground in the hearts of those who refuse the "inner" setting.
  • B. Was second an "application of the wilderness issue" in two simultaneous directions.
    • 1. The crowds were compelled by Jesus to consider whether John was subject to his own "truth" and, if so, to what degree.
      • a. He was as "human/viper-generated" as they were.
      • b. But, he was not a "reed shaken by the wind".
        • 1) The regeneration of men by God is not insignificant, nor ineffectual (though occasionally it gives that appearance).
        • 2) That John dropped the ball does not mean he was "destroyed" and no longer an object of God's gracious labors.
    • 2. The crowds were compelled by Jesus to consider whether they were subject to John's truth.
      • a. John's stumble was not a legitimate basis for a consequent stumbling of their own.
      • b. Acts 2:25 gives us a method that served David all of his life and will serve us as well if we apply it.
• III. Jesus' Words to Us.
  • A. If we are going to use John's "example" as a basis for our own choices, then we must use the whole example and not just one isolated event.
  • B. We would be better off considering Jesus' actions than John's on any given day.
    • 1. When John stumbled, Jesus corrected him with as gracious a level of correction as possible.
      • a. It is a grave error to treat Jesus' mildness in correction carelessly.
      • b. We can expect that Jesus will do for us what He did for John.
    • 2. When John stumbled, Jesus defended him with as much truth as was necessary.
      • a. Jesus made a difference between John's "life testimony" and his "momentary confusion".
      • b. We can expect that Jesus will do for us what He did for John.