“To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others: ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’” (Matt. 11:16-17)
Why is Jesus comparing 'this generation'?
This statement by Jesus may be found by some to be quite mysterious. But when it is read in context with the surrounding statements, its meaning becomes apparent.Jesus was speaking to his followers and to John's disciples about John the Baptist, whom Jesus indicated they did not know. Jesus praised John. Why?
Because he honored and respected John. He took baptism from John which means he accepted John as his teacher.
Jesus here comments about the people of his time - the people in the society surrounding Jesus at that moment: “To what can I compare this generation?"
Those people, Jesus is saying, expected things to come to them easily - relative to the previous generation. They saw themselves as the "chosen ones" - because they were Jewish - and they were expecting to receive the privileges of their ancestry.
Because he honored and respected John. He took baptism from John which means he accepted John as his teacher.
Jesus here comments about the people of his time - the people in the society surrounding Jesus at that moment: “To what can I compare this generation?"
Those people, Jesus is saying, expected things to come to them easily - relative to the previous generation. They saw themselves as the "chosen ones" - because they were Jewish - and they were expecting to receive the privileges of their ancestry.
Is this a sense of entitlement?
This is sometimes called a sense of entitlement. As though they were owed something.Such a sense of entitlement could be compared to those among our current generation. As modern society has become increasingly technological, we are feeling as though we are the best generation ever.
Unless of course, you consider that modern society is seriously endangering the future of this planet.
For many, the thinking is that Jesus' crucifixion saved us from the responsibility of our activities. And all we have to do is ask for stuff and we will get it.
When we want money, we ask God or Jesus to give us money. When we want health, we ask Jesus to make us healthy. When we want to win a contest, we ask Jesus to let us win. When we want to be famous, we ask Jesus to make us famous.
Then of course when we don't get what we want, we get upset and begin doubting God's existence.
This is not what Jesus came to teach us. Jesus came to teach us that we are God’s servants: We should do His will. Not that He should do our will. This is an important point in terms of understanding our position and understanding the Supreme Being, and understanding the purpose for the world around us. It is also important as we understand Jesus' life and his ultimate sacrifice: He was the ultimate loving servant of the Supreme Being.
Having a sense of entitlement is not consistent with loving service: They two are polar opposites. The citizens of the spiritual realm are committed to the pleasure of the Supreme Being. They don't have a sense of entitlement because they see the Supreme Being as the Owner and Controller of everything.
So the example Jesus gives: "We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn," illustrates Jesus saw those around as feeling entitled. They saw themselves as the "chosen people" because of their birth into a Jewish family.
Our primary entitlement is love. We are always loved by the Supreme Being and we can love others. Love is our heritage and our spiritual entitlement.
Then of course when we don't get what we want, we get upset and begin doubting God's existence.
This is not what Jesus came to teach us. Jesus came to teach us that we are God’s servants: We should do His will. Not that He should do our will. This is an important point in terms of understanding our position and understanding the Supreme Being, and understanding the purpose for the world around us. It is also important as we understand Jesus' life and his ultimate sacrifice: He was the ultimate loving servant of the Supreme Being.
Having a sense of entitlement is not consistent with loving service: They two are polar opposites. The citizens of the spiritual realm are committed to the pleasure of the Supreme Being. They don't have a sense of entitlement because they see the Supreme Being as the Owner and Controller of everything.
So the example Jesus gives: "We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn," illustrates Jesus saw those around as feeling entitled. They saw themselves as the "chosen people" because of their birth into a Jewish family.
Did Jesus teach that a particular race is the chosen people?
Certainly, Jesus was not a racist. Jesus taught that we aren't these physical bodies. He taught that we are spiritual beings. These bodies are temporary vehicles we occupy for a few decades. Jesus communicated this several times, including with this statement:“Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul." (Matt. 10:28)as well as:
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear." (Matt. 6:25)Jesus was teaching that we are not these physical bodies. We are each the spirit-person within this body. Therefore, we are not entitled to anything with respect to these temporary physical bodies - our race or family we were born into or even what sect we may belong to. We are the children of the Supreme Being - His servants. Therefore, we have no rights of entitlement.
Our primary entitlement is love. We are always loved by the Supreme Being and we can love others. Love is our heritage and our spiritual entitlement.
