PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Matthew 11:7-19
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“Whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than (John the Baptist).” (Matthew 11:11)
This paragraph makes more sense when read in light of Malachi 3-4.
There Malachi tells of a prophet will come before He (the Lord) arrives.
That messenger will be like Elijah (Malachi 3:1, 4:5), the greatest of prophets.
He will prepare the way for the kingdom of God and the new covenant.
John is the to be the transition between the old covenant (Law and Prophets) and the new.
The citizens of the new covenant kingdom will be greater than the old covenant prophets.
Not greater in worth, but greater in grace, for they will be purified and restored.
When Jesus talks about the kingdom coming with “violence”, what does He mean?
We need to also see this as part of what Malachi predicts, a day of fire (Malachi 4:1-3).
Not actual fire, but the purifying fire of truth and judgment – how Jesus spoke.
His words burned those who rejected Him, but healed those who revered Him (Malachi 4:2).
Through Jesus’s penetrating words, we are being refined and restored (Malachi 3:3-4).
As Jesus followers, we welcome Jesus’s refining words, knowing He is making us great!
How open are you to being refined by Jesus’s words; how is Jesus purifying you?
PRAYER
Lord, in order to be healing there needs to be convicting. May the fire of Your words penetrate the shadows of my heart, and cause the “sun of righteousness to rise with healing” in me!
Jesus says of John the Baptist – ..there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist, yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. There is no earthly status – nothing we can achieve that will match even the least that we receive in the Kingdom of Heaven – if that ‘status’ or differing levels in kingdom of heaven means anything (human terms I think). So I say, what’s all this striving for here on earth – where is my ego directed? For me, I know my ego and pride gets in the way – I have to let go and let God. That’s when I find my greatest contentment as well! And so I may be criticized both ways for being a hypocrite or being overly pious – sorry – help me walk in your ways O Lord.
Am I receptive to hearing the Word of the Lord or like the people at the wedding or funeral and did not participate by dancing/singing. May my ears always be open to Your Word Lord to hear the good news and to act upon that new with love and service. Word and deed. Indeed.
Make me a servant
Humble and meek
Lord let me lift up
Those who are weak
And may the prayer
Of my heart always be
Make me a servant
Make me a servant
Make me a servant today
Lord I confess my sin of procrastination and omission held me back in 2019. Forgive me Lord. Thank you for your grace. I pray that for this 2020 my heart will keep burning of your love and the fire of your word pierce my heart to light my path and keep me focused on your kingdom mission.