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a) Jesus’ Answer to the Baptist’s Disciples (Matthew 11:2-29)
MATTHEW 11:7-15
7 As these went their way, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John, “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 8 But what did you go out to see? A man in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in king’s houses. 9 But why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet. 10 For this is he, of whom it is written, ‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.’ 11 Most certainly I tell you, among those who are born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptizer; yet he who is least in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he. 12 From the days of John the Baptizer until now, the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. 13 For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. 14 If you are willing to receive it, this is Elijah, who is to come. 15 He who has ears to hear, let him hear. (Luke 1:76; 7:24-35, Malachi 4:5)
We have here our Lord Jesus elevating and praising John the Baptist, not only to revive his honor, but also to revive his work. Some of Christ’s disciples might perhaps take occasion from the question John sent Jesus, to think of him as weak and wavering and inconsistent with himself. To prevent such thinking Christ gives him this character.
Christ expressed His full trust in John the Baptist. John had prepared His way faithfully according to the prophecies, dedicated his life to God, and collected no profits for himself. Christ declared His trust in him with a shining testimony before the crowds. He said that among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John! Neither Napoleon, nor Caesar, nor Aristotle, nor Plato, nor Buddha, nor any other prophet is the greatest of men; it is but John the Baptist. We should recognize and believe this divine statement.
Why did the Baptist become the greatest of men? Because God proclaimed to him that Christ is the Lamb of God, and the giver of the Holy Spirit to the repentant. John was the last prophet of the Old Testament. Yet he served, obeyed, committed himself unconditionally to Christ, considered himself unworthy to loose Christ’s sandal strap, and guided the multitudes to Jesus as Christ. John saw the Holy Spirit descending upon Jesus like a dove, and heard with his own ears the voice of God saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Thus John was the first witness and martyr for the Unity of the Holy Trinity, above Moses and all other prophets.
Christ declares that there are people who are better and higher than John. Those are the members of the kingdom of God born of the Holy Spirit. God is their father, and they are His children. They are those whom Christ has justified by grace and chosen to be His ambassadors, upon whom He has put the service and responsibility of reconciliation with God. The least of them is greater than the greatest man mentioned in the Old Testament.
However, those who heard the word will be called to account for their intentions and for what they have done. We think when the sermon is done, the care is over. No, then the greatest responsibility begins. They will be asked, “What business had you at such a time and at such a place? What took you there? Was it custom or company? Was it a desire to honor God and receive a blessing? What have you gained from the message? What knowledge, and grace, and comfort? What did you go to see and to do?”
Have you become a child of God? Repeat these words in your heart if you like: “I am an idle laborer. My character is stained with sins and defects. But praise be to God, Christ’s blood has cleansed me, and His Holy Spirit has sanctified me and kindled into me the fire of His love. I am sure that God is my heavenly Father. I speak to Him every day and I listen to His merciful word. I have become an active member of His kingdom, and I shall remain protected in Him by His power. Death to me is an open gate leading to the immortal life with my eternal Father.
If you confess this faith with the certainty of the Holy spirit, you will enter into the kingdom of God and take for yourself the right of grace and prophecy, for whoever believes in Christ shall be saved in spite of his ugly sins, as Jesus said, “Your faith has saved you.”
The promises of Christ are of great and common concern and “everyone that has ears to hear” should be concerned to hear this. It intimates that God requires no more from us but the right use and improvement of the faculties He has already given us. He requires those to hear that have ears and those to reason that have reasoning capability. People are ignorant, not because they want power, but because they want to follow their own will. They do not hear, because spiritually deaf people plug their own ears.
PRAYER: O loving God, You are our true Father, and Christ is our mighty Lord. We worship You. We rejoice because You have saved us with the blood of Jesus even though we were idle sinners. You delivered us from the authority of our sin and the fear of death. You have granted us eternal life, and authorized us with the service of love, to invite all sinners to be reconciled with You, that they may believe in You and obtain full and complete salvation.
QUESTION:
- Why is the least in the kingdom of God considered greater than John the Baptist, the last and greatest prophet of the Old Testament?