I compare this generation to children who are uninterested neither in dancing to the tune of flutes nor in mourning at the sound of dirges. Following his testimony of John the Baptist, the tone of Jesus’ words changed as he turned to his audience to address something that was nagging at him. And it had to do with the kind of reception he had been given. Jesus was not happy at the blatant indifference that the people had shown him. When he appeared on the scene, he brought a relaxed approach to religion. He had hoped that his inclusive approach when it comes to treating people would be embraced with open arms. But after being in the scene for a while, he came to realize that people’s reception of what he was about fell short of his expectation and hopes. He opened his arms too much. It appeared as if it was one thing to preach the unconditional love of God from the pulpit, but it was a different thing altogether to demonstrate this in action (as Jesus was apparently doing-keeping the company of tax collectors and sinners). 
Jesus was being accused of reaching out to those who were doomed. He was accused of giving hope to those who had been told there was no hope for them. He was being disparaged for revealing the merciful and forgiving face of God to the world. He took offence because the people had been praying and longing for the kingdom. Yet when he came ushering in the kingdom, they rejected him and what the kingdom was offering. He concluded that they did not know what they wanted. Their indifference became their undoing. 
If Jesus were to stand in our midst today, what would he say about us? Would he commend us or would he reproach us? Have we taken a stand when it comes to the kingdom proclaimed by Jesus or are we still sitting by the fence?