20151104 GREATER THAN JOHN THE BAPTIST

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!!!

20150922 A PARTY FOR SINNERS

A PARTY FOR SINNERS

Matthew 9:12-13 When Jesus heard this, He said, "Healthy people don't need a doctor—sick people do."  (13)  Then He added, "Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: 'I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.' For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners."

In this passage Jesus attends a party that Matthew has thrown for all his old tax collector buddies and some other cronies. I believe Matthew was introducing his old friends to his new friends and to his new life. Have you introduced your old friends to Jesus?

By this time Jesus’ activities have caught the attention of the “religious” crowd and they are watching him closely. He is gaining notoriety and a following and He doesn’t do things the way they do things. In their eyes he is dangerous and so, they are looking to catch Him doing something, anything for which they can criticize Him and for which they can keep others from following Him. And now they have it. He goes to a party with a bunch of sinners, and not just sinners, but people from the other political party. You see the tax collectors actually worked for the Roman government and collected taxes from their own people, the Israelites. They often cheated and took more than they should. Their companions were often other disreputable characters. So the religious, the Pharisees now have Him. He eats with sinners.

Jesus response is to tell them what their job was all along. It’s the sinner who needs a Savior. It’s the sick who need the doctor. It’s the dirty who need a bath. It’s the hungry who need fed, the thirsty who need water. Those who have it all together and don’t sin don’t need Jesus. They are the self-righteous, in their own eyes. In Jesus eyes, they only “think” they are righteous. They are blind to their own sin. They see others (specifically sinners) as beneath their time and effort. But Jesus came to seek and to save that which is lost… the sinner, the tax collector, the liar, the cheat, the sexually immoral, the thief, the critic, the judgmental, and the list goes on.

I am so glad He came for the sinner because that means He came seeking me and you. Now let us begin to see others as Jesus does, not as those lost without hope, but as those who can be saved, redeemed by His blood.

Father in heaven, forgive us for falling into the mindset of Pharisees. Any good in us is because of Your Amazing Grace. Open our eyes to see others as You see them. In Jesus Name, AMEN!!!

20150921 HOW QUICK DO YOU RESPOND?

HOW QUICK DO YOU RESPOND?

Matthew 9:9 As Jesus was walking along, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at his tax collector's booth. "Follow Me and be My disciple," Jesus said to him. So Matthew got up and followed Him.

In the Greek language this statement Jesus makes to Matthew is wrapped up in a single word, ἀκολουθέω… akoloutheō. So, Jesus spoke a single word to Matthew and he dropped what he was doing, got up and followed Jesus.

When I started this blog I pointed out John 8:31-32 Jesus said to the people who believed in Him, "You are truly My disciples if you remain faithful to My teachings.  (32) And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

The question I’d like you to ask today is this, “How quickly do I respond when the Holy Spirit leads me?” Do you drop what you’re doing and follow Him immediately?

Father in heaven, thank You for Your Holy Spirit who guides us. Give us hearts that are quick to follow. In Jesus Name, AMEN!!!