Did You Know You Are Greater Than John the Baptist! Matthew 11:7-11

7 As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? 

After John's disciples left, Jesus had a chance to expound upon the unique role of John the Baptist to the crowds.  Jesus affirmed the bold message John delivered to them about repentance.  John was not "milque toast" in his preaching.  In keeping with the best Old Testament prophets, John came to deliver the Word of God even if if did not make everyone feel good.  

8 If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces. 

"This kind of clothing was an emblem of riches, splendor, effeminacy, feebleness of character. He meant to say that John was a man of a different stamp - coarse in his exterior, hardy in his character, firm in his virtue, suited to endure trials and privations, and thus qualified to be the forerunner of the toiling and suffering Messiah." (Barnes)

Jesus sets the expectations right away regarding the type of Messiah he would be.  Jesus showed he was not impressed by outward appearances. Instead he looked at the heart.  This was a good transition from all the miracles Jesus had done.  Though the miracles revealed Jesus divinity, the response desired was repentance.  People enjoy seeing miracles but may not repent because of them.  With high challenge John gave them, the crowds start to thin.  

9 Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 

John the Baptist was more than prophet because he came to introduce the Savior, the other prophets only could only look forward to.  

"Isaiah had been distinguished above all others for the sublimity of his writings, and the clearness with which he had foretold the coming of Christ. Yet John surpassed even him. He lived in the time of the Messiah himself. He predicted his coming with still more clarity. He was the instrument of introducing him to the nation. He was, therefore, first among the prophets."  (Barnes)

10 This is the one about whom it is written: “‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you."

John the Baptist rolled out the carpet for Jesus.  This particular passage is from Malachi 3:1, the last book written in Old Testament.  It reminds us of the importance of the Old Testament, whose prophets predicted Jesus' birth, life, death and resurrection with pinpoint accuracy.  The fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy proves the reliability and authenticity of the bible.  

Though the Old Testament had given plenty of preview to the messenger who was fulfilled in the person of John the Baptist, the people were not necessarily prepared for his message. 

11 Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 

"Though John was great, he was not born again under the New Covenant. This is because he lived and died before the completion of Jesus’ work at the cross and empty tomb. Therefore, he did not enjoy the benefits of the New Covenant." (Guzik)

John the Baptist was the only prophet who was filled Holy Spirit from birth. The other prophets only were filled with the Spirit for a particular time and purpose.  John preached when he saw Jesus, "the kingdom has drawn near".  Jesus demonstrated the power of the kingdom through miracles of healing and delivering people from evil spirits. Amazingly he promised the disciples and those to follow, "You will do even great things because I am sending my Spirit to you!" 

What would a prophet like John the Baptist look like today?  What would be his or her message?  Do you think Christians could be more bold in their proclamation of the Gospel?  How do you feel about the fact that because of your faith in Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit, you can have a greater impact than John the Baptist?  Where is God calling you to be Jesus' messenger to prepare the way for him to enter human hearts? 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Acts 22 - Paul Sees the Light

Image
6  “About noon as I came near Damascus, suddenly a bright light from heaven flashed around me.   7  I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me,  ‘Saul! Saul! Why do you persecute me?’  8  “‘Who are you, Lord?’ I asked.  “  ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth,  whom you are persecuting,’  he replied.   9  My companions saw the light,  but they did not understand the voice  of him who was speaking to me.  10  “‘What shall I do, Lord?’ I asked. “  ‘Get up,’  the Lord said,  ‘and go into Damascus. There you will be told all that you have been assigned to do. This is the famous story of the apostle Paul's conversion on the road to Damascus.  Paul was going there to persecute Jewish Christians and throw them into prison and he meets Jesus is a spectacular way.  Not only is he blinded by a briliant light, but he hears the Lord's voice audibly.  And the Lord asks him, "Lord, Lord why are you persecuting me!"  Paul thought he was serving the Lord, but he was persecuting him b
Read more

2 Timothy 4 - Fight the Good Fight! Finish the Race!

Click Here to Read or Listen to 2 Timothy 4 4 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: 2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. 3 For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 5 But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry. Paul gives a closing charge to Timothy. First of all, he is to preach the word. God's Word speaks to all situations and seasons. The Word of God will sometimes correct us. Our lives can get of out alignment with God's will as outlined in
Read more

Hebrews 6 - Have You Graduated From Elementary School of Faith Yet?

Click Here to Read or Listen to Hebrews 6 6 Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, 2 instruction about cleansing rites, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3 And God permitting, we will do so. The author once again picks up with the theme of moving on to Christian maturity.  He teaches them to move on from the "elementary" teachings about Christ. What does he mean by that?  He gives clues by citing repentance, faith, cleansing rites, the laying on of hands, and teaching on the judgment and resurrection from the dead. We might call these the basics of the Christian faith. If you read through the Apostle's Creed, which our church confesses in our 8am service, it contains many of these core doctrines.  Click here to see the Apostle's Creed Written Around “When we consider the
Read more