A Generation On Trial

Based on Luke 11:30-32, raw notes from my journal. The picture is dynamic. I imagine a courtroom filled with folks from generations at least past and present. Various generations in certain localities are put into the "dock," the judgment place. They are on the spot and being watched and assessed, So here are the people of Jesus' generation on trial and the judge is looking for testimony. The first witness is the Queen of the South who has traveled across Africa to hear the wisdom of Solomon. Her thirst for knowledge, wisdom, truth and God her to endure incredible hardships of such a journey involving, no doubt, dozens of people and servants. She made a great effort to learn and understand. Her integrity and desire was great and was proven by her actions. She crossed, no doubt, deserts, rivers, mountain and jungle to sit before Solomon. Now one far greater than Solomon is here and His name is Jesus, He has the words of eternal life. He is the true way and no one including Solomon has 1 % of the wisdom and knowledge He possesses, and yet so many of His generation were much too busy and self-absorbed to walk across the street to really listen. When they did many would either be offended by Him and walk back across the street, or would attack Him as if they were of greater stature than He. Candice's testimony surely included all of what Solomon knew of Israel's history and God's purposes being worked out through that people. Solomon was fulfilling God's purpose to be a light to the nations. Surely this knowledge was shared by Candice with others as she traveled back to her home and to the wise men of the land. We may never know the effect of this journey on other generations.

The next witness was the men of Nineveh. The wickedness of Nineveh came up before God, and God dispatched Jonah to cry out against it. This exceedingly great city (a 3 days walk perhaps around it or through it) was given forty days to repent. These people believed in God, called a fast, put on sackcloth, including the king of Nineveh who issued a proclamation to call on God earnestly, cease their wicked ways, and turn from violence. God saw and turned from His plan to destroy the city. God had compassion on the 120,000 people of Nineveh who did not know their right hand from their left. So did the king of Nineveh stand with the Queen of the South (both Gentiles) and bring damning testimony? Surely Jesus was greater than disobedient and reluctant Jonah who had to be disciplined to do what God had told him to do. Every matter is established by 2-3 witnesses-we have three-Jesus, Candice, and the king of Nineveh.

Let me add. Jesus is still here and we must not be like the generation of His day lest these two ancient leaders one day stand up in court against our generation and give the same damning testimony.