For the next five days, I will not be able to write a new message so I will be sending out a “Dose” from the Journal series from the book of Matthew. I hope you will enjoy these excepts from the latest Daily Dose book coming out at the end of the year.
You are greater!
“Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. Matthew 11:11
John the Baptist. Jesus said he was the greatest of all prophets. In fact, Jesus said he was the greatest of those born. The reason was because he was the one who prepared the way for the Lord’s ministry here on the Earth. John was the forerunner, the one who announced Jesus to the world. He made the announcement when Jesus began His ministry here in the world: “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the word.” (see John 1) John was the greatest prophet because he was the last one before the coming Messiah, Jesus, came.
The second part of the verse is the astonishing part. Jesus said, “Even the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than John.” Jesus was not talking about those in heaven. When He referred to the “kingdom of heaven,” He was talking about heaven on earth, after his death, resurrection and ascension into heaven. He was speaking about those who would receive salvation through His blood sacrifice. The New Testament Church, the body of believers.
This truth is something that has slipped away from us in today’s world. We, like the prophets, have the power of the living Spirit of God on the inside of us. We have been raised up from the grave with Christ Jesus to sit together with Him in heavenly places. We were once dead, but now we are brought to life through Christ Jesus.
Before salvation came into the world, God had chosen one person at a time to give His message to throughout the ages. They were never well-dressed, smooth talking, political minded, or famous religious leaders. Then He sent John the Baptist, a rough around the edges man out in a deserted place. He was bold in his witness that Jesus was coming. He wasn’t afraid to speak up and speak out against anyone who was disputing his teaching and his message.
Now, God still speaks today and to those who you could consider “less than important”. We sometimes get the idea that if we can just get the right politician in office, or if we can just have that great pastor come and preach, then the world could be fixed. The truth is that politicians and pastors are not the solution to the world’s problems. God’s message of salvation is the only hope for the world and we every believer carries that message with them each day. We are His messengers!
The point is that just because you may not have a well-known, popular platform, you still have a voice and the Word of the LORD has come to you in the scripture. It is now your job to tell the “good news” that Jesus, the Messiah and Savior of the world, came and He took away the sin of the world. You are greater than all the prophets of old because you have that great salvation that they were all waiting for before His arrival.
Today I want to encourage you to be the voice of one telling the message that the kingdom of heaven has come. You are God’s voice in the earth now so share the salvation message wherever you are in life. Some may accept it readily and others may just listen for now, but seeds of God’s Word are being planted and He will send the next person along to water them. Soon new baby Christians will be born all around us and the whole world will know that Jesus is LORD!
Today’s scripture reading: Matthew 11:1-19
1 Now it came to pass, when Jesus finished commanding His twelve disciples, that He departed from there to teach and to preach in their cities.
2 And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples
3 and said to Him, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?”
4 Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell John the things which you hear and see:
5 The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them.
6 And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.”
7 As they departed, 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 clothed in soft garments? Indeed, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses.
9 But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and 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 “Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
12 And from the days of John the Baptist 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 And if you are willing to receive it, he is Elijah who is to come.
15 He who has ears to hear, let him hear!
16 “But to what shall I liken this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their companions,
17 and saying: ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance;
We mourned to you, and you did not lament.’
18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’
19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ But wisdom is justified by her children.”
The Daily Dose 