Thursday April 11: 6 Aviv

Have you ever felt that, no matter how hard you try, you just can’t seem to please the people around you? We’ve all felt that way from time to time and, frankly, we know that its not possible to please everyone at all times. This is not a new thing because in the gospel of Matthew, Jesus alluded to the finicky temperament of people and inclination to complain. He said:

“But to what shall I liken this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their companions, and saying: ‘We played the flute for you and you did not dance; we mourned to you and you did not lament.’ 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, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ But wisdom is justified by her children.” (Matthew 11:16-19)

If you’ll allow me, I want to offer an interpretation of what Messiah said, here. Basically, He’s saying that there are those who want everyone else to play the game they wish to play, and play it the way they want to play it. If someone disagrees or wants to play something else, the childish people get offended. They will criticize one person for doing one thing and turn around and criticize another person for not doing what the first person was doing. He was accusing them of having no moral stability and being, generally, contrary.

The kind of people He described are those who take the time to find fault, especially with others without ever recognizing the faults within themselves. Jesus summed up the situation by saying, in so many words, “the proof of someone’s wisdom is evident in the actions they produce.” In other words, if someone is consistently critical, accusative and judgmental others, then how can they be trusted, particularly when it comes to spiritual matters? Furthermore, is it wise to bel aligned with those who continually engage in such action? Finally, is it wise to allow ourselves to be consumed by what these people think, considering that they won’t be pleased, unless we dance to their music? According to what Christ said, the music they play will be determined by the mood they are in.

Let me offer you some wisdom. We need to remember that the weightier matters of the Word are things like faith, justice, and mercy. Mercy says, “I’m not going to spend my time criticizing and accusing others.” We should also remember that Christ told us that if we’re going to point out the speck in someone else’s eye, we need to remember first to remove the beam from ours. Finally, we shouldn’t worry so much about pleasing others but, instead, commit ourselves to pleasing our Father. If we’re truly following Him, the wisdom of our actions will be evident for all to see.