Connect Matthew 11:18 with other instances of misjudgment in the Gospels. Setting the Scene Matthew 11:18 records, “For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon!’” John the Baptist’s wholehearted devotion—eating locusts, wearing camel’s hair, living in the wilderness—was read by many as fanaticism or demonic influence. The Gospels echo this same pattern of snap-judgment toward both John and Jesus. John Misjudged, Jesus Misjudged • John abstained from normal social life, so critics cried, “He has a demon!” (Matthew 11:18). • Jesus engaged in meals and friendships, so critics replied, “Look at Him—a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!” (Luke 7:34). • Two opposite lifestyles generated the same verdict: unspiritual, unsafe, untrustworthy. Misjudgment Aimed Directly at Jesus • Demon possession accusations – “Only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, does this man drive out demons.” (Matthew 12:24) – “He is possessed by Beelzebul.” (Mark 3:22) – “You have a demon.” (John 7:20; John 8:48) • Moral slander – “A glutton and a drunkard.” (Luke 7:34) – “We know this man is a sinner.” (John 9:24) • Spiritual blasphemy charge – “He is blaspheming. Who can forgive sins but God alone?” (Mark 2:7) • Sabbath-breaking accusation – “Look, Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath.” (Matthew 12:2) • Mental-instability charge – “He is out of His mind.” (Mark 3:21) • Kingly mockery at the cross – “He saved others, but He cannot save Himself.” (Matthew 27:41-42) – “Let Him save Himself if He is the Christ of God.” (Luke 23:35) • Post-resurrection doubts – “They were startled and frightened, thinking they had seen a spirit.” (Luke 24:37-38) Shared Threads in Every Episode • Preconceived standards overshadowed clear evidence of God’s work. • Religious, political, and even family circles all fell into faulty judgments. • External appearances—eating habits, healing methods, associations—were weighed more heavily than divine affirmation (voice at baptism, fulfilled prophecy, mighty works). • Accusations often reversed reality: the Holy Spirit’s power was labeled demonic; the sinless One was called sinner; the Savior was mocked as helpless. Why Misjudgments Persisted • Hardened hearts protected personal power and traditions (John 12:42-43). • Legalism valued rule-keeping over mercy and revelation (Matthew 12:7). • Spiritual blindness missed the prophetic clues threaded through the Law and Prophets (Luke 24:25-27). Living Truth Drawn from These Texts • Faithfulness will sometimes invite misunderstanding, whether through austerity like John or table-fellowship like Jesus. • God’s servants need not remodel their obedience to fit shifting public opinion; rather, “wisdom is vindicated by her actions.” (Matthew 11:19) • Discernment grows when Scripture forms expectations, guarding against hasty labels and preserving openness to God’s unexpected work. |
    |