32 “They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another, saying: ‘We played the flute for you, And you did not dance; We mourned to you, And you did not weep.’” Luke 7:32 (NKJV)
By Bro. John L. Cash
When you read the Bible, you’ll see that people (and human nature itself) haven’t changed much since the beginning of the world. I’ll bet your children have played a game of “church” or “school” a few times, right? In today’s Scripture verse (at the top) the Lord Jesus makes reference to the fact that the children in His day often pretended to have weddings and funerals. But even back then, there were kids who refused to join in with the fun or play by the rules.
In this passage, Jesus’ words show us that the cool kids of His time had even written a little song that they liked to sing to the kill-joys. Here’s my translation of the gist of it:
When the game was “weddings,” you knot-heads refused to dance. And when the game was “funerals,” you lame-ohs refused to weep. What’s wrong with you people? It doesn’t matter what game we’re playing. You won’t play by the rules.No matter what game is chosen, you won’t join in the fun.What a bunch of duds and losers. Nothing pleases you.
Of course, you’ve realized by now that Jesus was not condemning these little children; they are only doing what babies naturally do. The Lord’s words of rebuke are for the grown people who still behave like spoiled brats. These adults were dissatisfied with everything–even with the Saviour God has sent them. It’s a terrible way to be.
I’m sure you have had to deal with people who are NEVER happy — never satisfied with anything. Isn’t it unpleasant to deal with folks who are impossible to please, no matter what you do?Even the Lord got tired of picky, ungrateful folks.
One of the greatest gifts you can give to the people around you is this: Decide that, from here on out, you will strive to never be “difficult” or “high-maintenance.” Let your reputation become known to all people everywhere that you are “easy to please.”
Oh, what a breath of fresh air you’ll be in this world that is filled with so much strife. You’ll have a lot more fun as people are glad to see you wherever you might go.
So, from now on, whatever the game, join in and play along. You’ll probably be invited to more weddings. And when the time comes, there will probably be more people who will miss you at your funeral.
Dr. John L. Cash is the “Country Preacher Dad.” He was raised in Stuttgart, Arkansas, and has spent the last 27 years being a country preacher in the piney woods five miles south of the little town of Hickory, Mississippi. (On week days has a desk-job at a public school and teaches Latin on closed-circuit-television.) He and his lovely wife, Susan, live in the parsonage next door to the Antioch Christian Church (where many children have baptized their housecats.) The Cashes have two sons, Spencer (age 21), and Seth (age 18), who live in the parsonage, too, except when they are away at college. He would love to hear from you in an email sent to countrypreacherdad@gaggle.net.
