GREATER
THAN JOHN THE BAPTIST
Mat 11:7-15
As John's disciples were leaving, Jesus began talking about him to the
crowds. "What kind of man did you go into the
wilderness to see? Was he a weak reed, swayed by every breath of wind? (8) Or were you expecting
to see a man dressed in expensive clothes? No, people with expensive clothes
live in palaces. (9) Were you looking for a prophet? Yes, and he is more than a
prophet. (10) John is the man to
whom the Scriptures refer when they say, 'Look, I am sending My messenger ahead
of You, and he will prepare Your way before You.' (11) "I tell you the
truth, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John the Baptist. Yet
even the least person in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he is! (12) And from the time
John the Baptist began preaching until now, the Kingdom of Heaven has been
forcefully advancing, and violent people are attacking it. (13) For before John came,
all the prophets and the law of Moses looked forward to this present time. (14) And if you are
willing to accept what I say, he is Elijah, the one the prophets said would
come. (15) Anyone with ears to
hear should listen and understand!
John was faithful in his ministry. Jesus gives John honor and
clarifies to all who will hear that John is the Elijah and the forerunner of
the Messiah. In this Jesus is also pointing to Himself as the Messiah.
Verse 12 has been translated different ways. Some translate
it, “the Kingdom suffers violence and the violent take it by force.” It seems
that there were and perhaps are those who are trying to force their way into
the Kingdom of God. One commentary points out that there were those who tried
to make Jesus king of an earthly kingdom by force.
Everything in the scriptures up to and including John point to
this time, the coming of the Messiah. And now He is here. He, Jesus is the
Messiah, the Anointed One, the King of Kings, the Savior.
There was a lot of confusion over what kind of Savior He would
be. The people wanted a king now. They wanted someone to build David’s kingdom
again. They missed that Jesus came to bring something much more permanent than
an earthly kingdom.
Hear and understand, though He sees you in your present
situation His goals and plans are much loftier than a temporary quick fix. He
wants to change you into something greater than John the Baptist. He wants to
make you whole in every aspect and use you for His eternal glory to spread His
Heavenly Kingdom and its amazing Good News.
Father in heaven, grant that we would yield to Your plans for
Your sake. Let us see the bigger Kingdom vision and live for You in pursuing it.
In Jesus Name, AMEN!!!
