Jesus comments from his heart about the attitude of the religious leaders of his generation. It seemed to him they were unwilling to understand the purposes of God’s love reaching out to everyone. They were just like fickle children wanting to be entertained, wanting the Father’s attention solely on them, but never responding with empathy or gratitude.
In this short verse Jesus reveals the frustrated love of God. He longs for everyone to be his friend. However that response must be made out of freedom not coercion. Perhaps it’s a lesson for all of us to take on board. How often have we wanted God to entertain us rather than joining in and enjoying the experience of playing with God? Perhaps it’s time to unfold our arms, wipe the tears from our eyes, put on a smile and stop blaming each other across our divides and start playing the game.
Confessions of a ‘spoil sport’
Why am I like this?
I know I should join in
I want to join in
But I hold back
I want to laugh
And sometimes even cry
But I hold back
I pretend I’m not interested
I even go to great lengths to camouflage my feelings
I say one thing
But think another
If only I cold lose my pride
Be open
Pay a friend a compliment
Admit that another competitor has talent
Be magnanimous
Be generous
But instead
I stay cross legged
Arms folded
Body rigid
While all the time
I’m holding back
Longing to
Jump in
Make my contribution
Shout out - well done!
Lord,
Can you change a heart like mine?
Can a spoil sport play the game?
31 ‘To what then will I compare the people of this generation, and what are they like? 32 They are like children sitting in the market-place and calling to one another,
“We played the flute for you, and you did not dance;
we wailed, and you did not weep.”
33 For John the Baptist has come eating no bread and drinking no wine, and you say, “He has a demon”; 34 the Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, “Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax-collectors and sinners!”
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