Matt 11

I want us to continue thinking about the high call of discipleship that Jesus demanded in Matthew 10. In today’s reading we see that those who are opposed to our faith will find fault no matter what.  Matthew 11:18-19 states:

For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon!’  The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him, a glutton and a drunk, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ But wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.

Jesus point in this passage tells us what we already know; some people will criticize us no matter what we do.  We have to have thick skin when this criticism comes upon us. Though it hurts, if we know our motive behind our actions is to honor God and help lead others to maturity, then we can endure anything that is thrown at us.  

The last statement: “Wisdom is vindicated by her deeds” is a peculiar proverbial saying.  What exactly does it mean?  In this context I will let Michael J. Williams explain his thoughts:  Wisdom is the application of knowledge to life in such a way that a person’s activities are a concrete example of a life lived well in God’s presence. (Taken from his Commentary on Matthew in the The NIV Application Commentary). 

Therefore, it is God’s praise we seek, not man’s. This wiseway of living will honor God and eventually be honored by God (it will be vindicated);  So, let’s stay the course in living a life to honor him and not to be men-pleasers.