"Damned if you do, damned if you don't."

Matthew 11:16-19 the message:
16 "How can I account for this generation? The people have been like spoiled children whining to their parents,17 'We wanted to skip rope, and you were always too tired; we wanted to talk, but you were always too busy.'18 John came fasting and they called him crazy.19 I came feasting and they called me a lush, a friend of the riff-raff. Opinion polls don't count for much, do they? The proof of the pudding is in the eating."

"You're damned if you do, damned if you don't" seems to be the message here.  Thank You, Jesus, for exposing yet another characteristic of this last-days generation.  

When people are offended with the truth of God's Word in the mouth of a messenger, there will always be some fault to find.  John was too wild, too extreme.  Jesus was too "worldly", too un-religious.  Truth is, this generation did not want to welcome the Word, because of the change it would require.  Change? Yes.  You can't simply hear the Word, be a spectator, nod your head in agreement.  The Message Jesus was driving forward (and John too) was REPENT, change, hearing the Word isn't enough; being of the chosen people isn't enough; rebirth and change required (Matt.3).  So this was contrary to the living examples of the pharisees, those powerful church leaders of the day.  

A preacher in the style of John comes into your life, and you will find fault with his roughshod and violent passionate approach.  A preacher in the style of Jesus comes into your life, and his association with the sinners and worldly will bother you.  Always complaining, like spoiled children.  Sigh.  When will our easily offendable brothers and sisters in this Body grow up and start to LOVE the Word, regardless?  

A commitment to change is required.  Gotta lose the snakeskin.  Gotta change from within.  No pat answers or spiritual buzz words will carry you through.  Offense is the gate that whittles out the fake from the genuine, that separates the serious-about-God from the serious-about-self.  Hallelujah, bring it on Father!

The proof of the pudding is in the eating. 'Nuff said. Clear as day. You can display your plastic fruit, but one bite and the show is over. The only opinion that counts, is Yours, Father.