The legend dating back to the Medieval Ages, known as The Pied Piper of Hamelin, was also called ‘der Rattenfänger von Hameln’ in German, meaning The Rat-Catcher. The story is told that a colorfully dressed piper was hired to assist in the town’s annoying problem of rats, during a time when people were dying of the plague. He lured the rats away by playing melodic tunes on his pipe to a river where they all drowned. Being cheated out of his promised payment when the job was completed, he used his same magical, musical abilities to draw all the children out of the town. Their fate is not told in the story, however, there are various speculative endings, such as, the children also all drowned, or the children were led to a beautiful place and lived happily ever after. When using the phrase ‘pied piper’ in our day, we are often referring to those who garnish a following by their charisma or through making false promises.
The latest and greatest stylish fashions seen in the Sears & Roebuck catalogue, used to be what people aspired to. Possessions we have or things we do often serve to identify us. Though fashion still plays a huge part in the minds of school aged children, and some are bullied for not having designer clothes and accessories, technology has taken a more prominent position in this department. Everyone feels the need to have the latest and greatest devices, and of course there must be about fourteen different things going on at one time, or you are just not ‘hip’ with it. We go into debt and often go against our once held convictions because we are gauged by our gadgets. We fear for our children who are impressionable, influenceable, and vulnerable; therefore, we cave to their demands which can be endless. Life becomes a vicious cycle for those always wanting to be in the ‘in crowd.’ Though times change, human nature does not. Trying to ‘fit in’ and ‘belong’ with the amount or type of gadgets and gizmos we have will never work. The satisfaction they offer never quite meets up to our expectations before something with more bells and whistles appears to get our attention.
Matthew 11:7-19 gives us this account, “And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, what went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind? But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet. For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. Verily I say unto you, among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. 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. For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil. The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.”
John the Baptist was sent for the purpose of being a forerunner to Jesus. He was sent to pave the way for the coming Messiah, prophesied about in the Old Testament. Though he played his part very well, he did not do or say anything in a conventional way. He was not in the ‘in crowd’ if you will. He was rough and gruff, used different vernacular and colloquialisms, and his ‘camel’s hair’ coats were not Vogue or Gucci. He ate locusts and wild honey, now whether this is an actual grasshopper with a spoonful of honey, or the fruit from the Honey locust tree, it was not a popular meal of the day and produced sideways glances for John. He was thought to be strange, even weird, and shunned by most. Often people who are different are avoided out of fear, because of lack of knowledge about their eccentricities. People often wonder what others will think if you treat that person the same as you treat everyone else and may even consider you weird because of it.
Jesus basically called the multitude out that day because of their treatment of John. Jesus told them that John had done everything he knew to do to get his message to them of the coming Messiah, and they would not hear him. He sang a song, played a jig, lamented, mourned, and produced a dirge, and no one would dance, laugh, cry, or hear him. He preached a message that no one would take heed to. Their generation can be compared to that of Noah, who did not only preach one or two little feel good sermons, but he pleaded with them for years as he was building this strange vessel, to get into the Ark before the floods came. The building of it took one hundred and twenty years, which would have seen over six new generations born. Yet they all died because they did not believe Noah because he was so odd in their eyes and did not ‘fit in.’
Paul talks about how God continues to use things that are not necessarily popular to accomplish his work here on earth. 1 Corinthians 1:17-21 & 27-29 states, “For Christ sent me…to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence.” When it comes to getting the Gospel message to the world, we need to set aside our notion of wanting to blend in or be popular. 1 Peter 2:9 tells us, “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” If we must play the pipes or dance a jig, or metaphorically stand on our heads, then so be it. The message is that important. Jesus is coming soon, and we need to be ready.
In my younger years there was not a sermon heard that did not have a little ‘fire and brimstone’ in it, and though these types of messages receive criticism now, they brought sinners to their knees at the time. The preacher was more respected and trusted by the listeners in those days, to where when they heard his words, they were more apt to obey. Yes, there were ‘odd’ and eccentric preachers who did a lot of spitting and sputtering, but the message was still true. In the twenty-first century, people say these sermons were too strong, and insensitive, and now they want feel-good messages, a pat on the back or just a smile telling them that Jesus loves them, no matter what. Though this is true, this is only half the equation. The second part is that judgement will be sure as well if we choose to not obey and embrace the truth of the word of God. Paul warned Timothy of the times we are living in now, in 2 Timothy 4:1-5, “I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.”
Think about this, if there is a bridge out or a large pot hole ahead, wouldn’t you want a warning to let you know not to go in that direction? I surely would. We would not say that the signs stating, ‘road closed’ or ‘do not enter’ are too harsh and direct and that they hurt our feelings. They give a lifesaving message to motorists. When we read these signs, we heed the warning, find an alternative route, and follow the detour signs. Why do we think it strange to do this when it comes to the directions that God is giving us in His word. Do you know that the wars, rumors of wars, earthquakes, and chaos that the world is seeing now, are signs that the end is near, and Jesus is coming back. We literally have our heads down in our cell phones and are so focused on ourselves that we do not realize that these things are fulfillment to prophecies given in scripture. We will chalk negative events in the world up to a difficult day, politics or the ozone layer being depleted before we see them as warnings and ignore the real ramifications. Why? Because to acknowledge the truth could cause us to look weird, strange, or eccentric. But this is exactly what God uses to get people’s attention.
If Rahab the harlot did not believe the two spies that came to her house in Jericho that day, she, and her household would not have been saved, nor be counted in the linage of Jesus Christ. When Lot and his family were fleeing Sodom and Gomorrah, his wife did not believe the directive given to not look back, and she was subsequently turned into a pillar of salt because of her disobedience. Noah and his household would not have been saved if he had not built the ark and then entered it when God told him it was time.
We become a part of the bride of Christ when we are born again of the water and the Spirit as directed in John 3:5, “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” We take on His name in baptism as seen in Acts 2:38, “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” However, if we do not keep our ‘lamps full of the oil’ and continue to ‘watch’ for the bridegroom, we will miss the call. Matthew 25:1-10 tells us the story, “Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.”
It is now our responsibility to be ready. Any sign or warning that was to be given has been given, the prophesies have been fulfilled and we are now awaiting His coming. Even the earth is groaning and longing for His return. In Luke 11:29-32 Jesus make these statements, “And when the people were gathered thick together, he began to say, this is an evil generation: they seek a sign; and there shall no sign be given it, but the sign of Jonas the prophet. For as Jonas was a sign unto the Ninevites, so shall also the Son of man be to this generation. The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation and condemn them: for she came from the utmost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and behold, a greater than Solomon is here. The men of Ninevah shall rise up in the judgment with this generation and shall condemn it: for they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and behold, a greater than Jonas is here.”
Do not dismiss the warnings, truth, or directives of the Word of God, but heed them. Prophecies are being fulfilled before our eyes and time is short. Do not think the preacher is just blowing smoke or being nit-picky or trivial but take heed. It is time to pay the piper. The tune has been played, the dance is over, the deed is done, now we must keep our side of the bargain and fulfill our commitment. 2 Chronicles 7:14 shows us the covenant promise, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” In Isaiah 55:6 -7 God also tells us, “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near.” Now is the time of salvation, do not let it slip away.