THE UNHEEDED CALL

Matthew 11:16-17 But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows, and saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented.

In this passage, Jesus uses a simple but powerful metaphor to address how people were responding—or failing to respond—to the messages He and John the Baptist were sharing. The verses read, “We have piped unto you, and you have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and you have not lamented.” At first, this might sound like an odd or confusing statement, but it’s a very insightful way of communicating how disconnected the people were from what was being offered to them.

To understand what Jesus is saying, we need to break down the metaphor. When Jesus says, “We have piped unto you,” He’s referring to playing music, which, in that time, was a common part of celebrations, as it is today. Music was central to weddings, festivals, and other community events. It was meant to uplift people, bring them together, and create joy. So when Jesus says, “We have piped,” He’s indicating that He and His followers brought a message of hope, joy, and salvation—a message that was meant to celebrate the goodness of God and invite people to experience the joy of new life through Him. It was like being invited to a great party, a festival of love and forgiveness. The expectation, then, was that the people would “dance,” which is the customary way of expressing joy and participation in such celebrations.

But instead of responding with joy, Jesus says, “you have not danced.” The people didn’t respond to the invitation to celebrate. They didn’t engage with the joy being offered. They were indifferent to the good news. They didn’t want to join in. Jesus is pointing out that despite the joyful message He brought, the people rejected it. They weren’t open to the hope He offered them, which is a reflection of how many of us, in different times and ways, might reject the invitation to embrace the joy of the gospel. Sometimes we get so caught up in our own lives, distractions, or doubts that we miss out on the joy of God's love and grace.

Then, Jesus shifts to a different metaphor: “We have mourned unto you.” Mourning is what happens when someone experiences loss or grief—like at a funeral, when we reflect on the sadness of a loved one passing. Mourning is serious, solemn, and often a time for deep reflection. When Jesus says, “We have mourned,” He’s talking about John the Baptist’s message, which was focused on repentance and recognizing the seriousness of sin. John called people to turn away from their wrongdoings, to admit their faults, and to prepare for the coming of the kingdom of God. It was a message that urged people to confront their need for change and to reflect on their lives seriously. It wasn’t a message of joy; it was a message of soberness and accountability before God.

But, again, the people didn’t respond as they should. Jesus says, “you have not lamented.” To lament is more than just acknowledging that something is wrong; it’s to feel it deeply, to express the sorrow and grief that come with realizing that something important is lost or broken. It’s the kind of mourning that leads to change. But the people didn’t lament—they didn’t engage with the seriousness of the situation. They didn’t feel sorrow over their sin or the need to turn away from it. They didn’t respond with a heart of repentance.

So, Jesus is using this double metaphor to show that no matter what kind of message He or John the Baptist delivered—whether it was filled with joy and celebration or filled with sorrow and the call to repentance—the people still didn’t respond. They were unresponsive and indifferent. Whether the invitation was one of joy or seriousness, they were just not willing to engage with it.

This is an incredibly important point for us to reflect on today. Often, people reject what’s offered to them, either because it feels too uncomfortable, too challenging, or simply because they don’t want to deal with it. Some might think "it's too good to be true". The invitation to rejoice and embrace the good news of the gospel can be just as easily rejected as the call to repent and reflect on the need for change. Jesus’ point is that the people were not engaging with either one, and this indifference to the message of God is one of the most tragic things we can experience.

The rejection of joyful news, especially the good news of the gospel, often happens because people either feel like they don’t need it or they are so absorbed in their own struggles or distractions that they fail to recognize the blessing it could bring. Some may reject the call to rejoice because it requires them to step out of their comfort zones, or because they don’t believe the message is really for them. Others, however, reject the message of repentance because it forces them to confront uncomfortable truths about themselves. It’s much easier to ignore the message or pretend it’s not relevant than to actually deal with the weight of sin and the need for change.

This passage challenges us to think about how we respond to God’s messages. Are we open to the invitation to celebrate His love and joy? Or do we resist it, feeling unworthy or distracted by the troubles of life? And when God calls us to repentance, to face our mistakes and make changes, do we ignore it or turn away? Are we too proud, too stubborn, or too indifferent to allow ourselves to feel the weight of our actions and change?

Jesus is highlighting how people often fail to respond properly to the spiritual invitations given to them. Whether it’s a message of joy or one of sorrow, both have the potential to transform lives, but only if we choose to respond. It’s not enough to hear the message; we must be willing to engage with it. The people Jesus spoke to in His time weren’t engaging—they were shutting themselves off from what was being offered to them. They didn’t take the joy of the gospel seriously, nor did they take the call to repentance seriously. They were indifferent, and in doing so, they missed out on something far greater than what they could have imagined.

This is a warning and a challenge for all of us. We have to ask ourselves: How do we respond when God speaks to us? Are we too indifferent to care about what He’s saying? Are we too caught up in our own lives to take notice of His invitation? Whether the message is one of celebration or repentance, we must be open to it. Jesus is calling us to respond—wholeheartedly and without reservation—to the messages He is giving us, and to recognize that each invitation, whether joyful or serious, is an opportunity to grow, to change, and to experience God more deeply.

Ultimately, the point Jesus is making is simple yet profound: I hope you don’t ignore the message. Don’t be indifferent. Whether it’s a message of joy, hope, and celebration, or one of repentance, reflection, and change, pay attention. Engage with it. Let it move you, shape you, and lead you closer to God. Only by responding to His calls—both of joy and sorrow—can we truly live the full life He wants for us. This passage encourages us to not miss out on the invitation, but to respond with a heart that is open, willing, and ready to engage with the message of God, no matter how it comes to us.

 

amch 2024