Why Won't You Dance? Joining Jesus in the Dance of Life and Heaven.

Why Won't You Dance?

Imagine a group of children playing in the marketplace, singing and dancing, and inviting their friends to join them. Some are playing a happy tune on a flute, while others are singing a mournful dirge. They expect their friends to respond accordingly, dancing joyfully to the happy tune and mourning solemnly to the sad song. But no matter what they do, their friends refuse to join in.

This is the image that Jesus used to describe his generation. He said, "To what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their playmates, 'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn'" (Matthew 11:16-17, ESV).

Jesus was criticizing the people of his time for their lack of response to the message he and John the Baptist were preaching. They were like stubborn children who refused to play along with their friends, no matter how much they begged and pleaded.

The Dance of John the Baptist

Jesus continued his criticism by talking about John the Baptist. He said, "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 at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!'" (Matthew 11:18-19).

John the Baptist was a prophet who lived in the wilderness and preached a message of repentance. He dressed in camel's hair and ate locusts and wild honey (Matthew 3:4). He was a serious and somber man, who did not indulge in the pleasures of the world.

On the other hand, Jesus was known for his love of feasting and celebration. He attended weddings and dinner parties, and was accused of being a glutton and a drunkard (Luke 7:34). He was a joyful and lighthearted man, who embraced the pleasures of the world.

Despite their differences, both John and Jesus preached the same message of repentance and salvation. They called the people to turn away from their sins and follow God. But the people did not respond to their message.

The Stubbornness of the People

Why did the people refuse to respond to John and Jesus? Jesus gives us the answer: "But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their playmates, 'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.' 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 at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!'" (Matthew 11:16-19).

The people were stubborn and rebellious. They refused to respond to the message of John and Jesus, no matter how it was presented to them. They accused John of being demon-possessed because he did not eat and drink like they did. And they accused Jesus of being a glutton and a drunkard because he did eat and drink like they did. They were not interested in the truth of the message; they only wanted to criticize and find fault.

Jesus goes on to say, "Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds" (Matthew 11:19). In other words, the truth of the message is proved by its results. John and Jesus were both vindicated by the good works they did and the lives they transformed. But the people still refused to believe.

The Dance of Christ

Jesus compares his generation to children who refuse to dance, no matter what tune is played for them. But he himself is the ultimate dancer, who invites us to join him in the dance of life.

In the book of Ecclesiastes, we read, "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance" (Ecclesiastes 3:1-4).

Life is full of seasons, some of which are joyful and some of which are sorrowful. But in every season, there is a time to dance. And Jesus invites us to join him in the dance of life, no matter what season we are in.

Jesus himself danced through life with joy and celebration. He attended weddings and dinner parties, and even turned water into wine at a wedding feast (John 2:1-11). He healed the sick, fed the hungry, and forgave sins. He brought hope and joy to the lives of those he touched.

The Invitation to Dance

Jesus invites us to join him in the dance of life, but many of us are like the stubborn children in the marketplace, refusing to respond to his call. We are too busy with our own concerns, too weighed down by our own sorrows, to hear the music and join in the dance.

But Jesus says, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light" (Matthew 11:28-30).

Jesus offers us rest and refreshment in the midst of our labors and sorrows. He offers us the chance to lay down our burdens and join him in the dance of life. He promises that his yoke is easy and his burden is light.

So why won't we dance? Why do we hold back, refusing to respond to the call of Christ? Perhaps it is because we are afraid of what others will think of us. Perhaps it is because we are too focused on our own problems to see the joy that is all around us.

But Jesus invites us to lay aside our fears and our worries, and to join him in the dance of life. He promises that we will find rest and refreshment in his presence, and that his joy will be our strength.

The Dance of Heaven

The dance of life is just a foretaste of the dance of heaven, where we will join the angels and saints in eternal joy and celebration. The Bible describes heaven as a place of feasting and celebration, where there is no more sorrow or pain.

The book of Revelation says, "And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away'" (Revelation 21:3-4).

In heaven, we will join with the angels and saints in singing and dancing before the throne of God. We will experience the fullness of joy and the richness of life that we only catch glimpses of here on earth.

The Call to Dance

Jesus invites us to join him in the dance of life, and ultimately in the dance of heaven. He calls us to lay aside our fears and our worries, and to trust in his goodness and his love.

He says, "I came that they may have life and have it abundantly" (John 10:10). He promises us a life that is full of joy and celebration, even in the midst of sorrow and pain.

So why won't we dance? Why do we hold back, refusing to respond to the call of Christ? Perhaps it is because we are afraid of what others will think of us. Perhaps it is because we are too focused on our own problems to see the joy that is all around us.

But Jesus invites us to lay aside our fears and our worries, and to join him in the dance of life. He promises that we will find rest and refreshment in his presence, and that his joy will be our strength.

So why won't you dance? Why do you hold back, refusing to respond to the call of Christ? The music is playing, and the dance is waiting. Will you join in?

References

• Matthew 11:16-19


• Matthew 11:28-30


• John 10:10


• John 2:1-11


• Luke 7:34


• Ecclesiastes 3:1-4


• Revelation 21:3-4