And when the messengers of John were departed, he began to speak unto the people concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness for to see? A reed shaken with the wind? But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they which are gorgeously apparelled, and live delicately, are in kings’ courts. But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet.This is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. Luke 7:24-27

In our reading today, Jesus teaches us about who John the Baptist is and why he came here. At first glance many probably thought John the Baptist was just a crazy guy, wearing camel hair clothes and eating locusts. However John was a prophet, and not just a prophet but Jesus called him “the greatest of all prophets” (verse 28) 

So what was the big deal about John? Besides his strange appearance and very strong message of repentance, why was John so important? Well Jesus quoted the prophecies about John in Isaiah and Malachi, John was the prophet to prepare the way for the Messiah. John’s mission was to prepare everyones hearts for the coming of Jesus, by baptism of repentance, and reveal who the Christ is!

For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he. And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John.But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him. Luke 7:28-30

If John came upon the scene today, imagine what most people would say or think about him. However Jesus said “there was no greater prophet born among women” John didn’t care what the world thought about him, he had a mission from God and he was going to fulfill it, even to the point of death, when Herod cut his head off for rebuking his sin

The religious leaders rejected John, not because of his appearance, but because they felt they were already righteous and didn’t want to repent for their sins. These men believed they were so religious, yet didn’t even recognize a prophet from God in front of them. They were all blinded with pride and self righteousness

For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine; and ye say, He hath a devil. The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners! But wisdom is justified of all her children. Luke 7:33-35

The religious leaders claimed John the Baptist was possessed by demons, even though he was a holy prophet of God. Just as the religious leaders killed their own Messiah, crucified him on a cross, because they love their sin and religion, more than they love God

The reason people reject God, is not an evidential issue but its a moral issue. Nobody wanted to repent and change, so they killed off John and Jesus. Unfortunately their delusion forgot that Jesus is the Son of God, and He is Risen forever. One day they will bow their knee to Christ and be sentenced to Hell forever, Worthy is the Lamb , Amen!