Matthew 11: Taking the Kingdom by Force (2)
Pray Psalm 126.4, 5.
Bring back our captivity, O Lord,
as the streams in the South.
Those who sow in tears
shall reap in joy.
Sing Psalm 126.4, 5.
Truro: Shout, for the Blessed Jesus Reigns
Restore our fortunes, Lord our King! Let grace like flowing streams prevail.
All they with tears of joy shall sing who sow while yet they weep and wail.
Read Matthew 11.1-12; meditate on verses 7-11.
In what ways was John “greater”?
Prepare.
1. What did Jesus say about John the Baptist?
2. Who is greater than John?
Meditate.
Jesus certainly did not think that John’s faith had faltered by sending his two disciples to ask Jesus whether He was the Coming One. Jesus knew the greatness of John the Baptist. But he was great in the eyes of God and Christ, not in the eyes of men. He didn’t wear the finest clothes. He did not alter his views or message to suit the shifting winds of morality. And he didn’t break under the pressure of being challenged by those who would ultimately murder his Lord.
Jesus said John was a prophet. Well, that’s some pretty good company: Elijah, Elisha, Isaiah, Daniel, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and all the rest. But Jesus said John was even more than a prophet. Not only did he proclaim the Word of God faithfully, but he was the appointed forerunner of the Messiah, the one concerning whom Malachi had written, the last of God’s Old Testament prophets (Mal. 3.1). He was more than a prophet because he, more than any prophet before him, prepared the world for Christ. He was more than a prophet because he saw Jesus, baptized Jesus, pointed the world to Jesus, and shifted the focus of those who followed him to following Jesus, Whom John had come to proclaim.
No wonder Jesus said that John is the greatest person to be born prior to the coming of the Kingdom. That, by the way, would include Abraham, Moses, David, and all the prophets. Yet the coming of the Kingdom, and with that, the indwelling of the Spirit, is an event of such qualitative distinction, that even the person who is least in the Kingdom is greater than John—and, by implication, greater than all those others, too.
How can that be? Because neither John nor any of the others who preceded him had the benefit of the Spirit dwelling in them, an irrevocable down payment from God (Eph. 1.13 14). We who know Jesus, who have entered His Kingdom and are in pursuit of His righteousness—we have the Spirit of Christ dwelling in us, and He is at work within us to will and do of God’s good pleasure in transforming us increasingly into the likeness of Jesus (Phil. 2.13; 2 Cor. 3.12-18).
When you think of John the Baptist, think greatness. Then thank our Lord and praise Him that your potential for Kingdom greatness exceeds even that of John (Matt. 5.17-19).
Treasure Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162
John differed from all the Old Testament prophets in that he physically saw Jesus.
He touched Him during His baptism.
They had a friendship relationship.
Their moms knew each other (Lk. 1.39-56).
And as John Calvin states in the quote for today: “The ancient prophets spoke of His Kingdom,
[but] they were not, like John, placed before His face, to point Him out as present.”
“To point Him out as present”: “Behold! The Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world!” (Jn. 1.29).
The differentiation between John the Prophet and those in the Kingdom now is this:
We have seen the risen Savior! We have experienced His victory over death.
We have, indeed, had our sins taken away by His death and resurrection.
In the present tense. John had faith it would happen. We know, it did.
That is how we are better. Or greater, as Jesus said (Matt. 11.11).
John, and all the Old Testament prophets, were thus defined:
“These all died in faith,
not having received the promises,
but having seen them afar off were assured of them,
embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth” (Heb. 11.13).
What was “afar off” is close at hand to those in the Kingdom now.
“Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners,
but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,
having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets,
Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone,
in Whom the whole building, being fitted together,
grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in Whom
you also are being built together
for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit” (Eph. 2.19-22).
On top of all these other blessings—seeing the risen Christ and experiencing His forgiveness—
we are indwelled by and filled with His Holy Spirit. Moses’ words to Joshua sum up this additional blessing for us:
“Oh, that all the LORD’s people were prophets and that the LORD would put His Spirit upon them!” (Num. 11.29). And indeed, He has.
This is why we are “greater” than John the Baptist, that bold and courageous man of faith.
We have seen the risen Christ and glory in being filled with His Holy Spirit,
to do His work, so that many others will be the same—being “greater” than John the Baptist.
Reflect.
1. How do you experience the indwelling of the Holy Spirit?
2. What is it like when you’re filled with Him? How can you be filled with the Spirit?
3. Greater Kingdom greatness entails greater responsibility. Such as?
[T]he pre-eminence of John consisted in his being the herald and forerunner of Christ; for although the ancient Prophets spoke of His kingdom, they were not, like John, placed before His face, to point Him out as present. John Calvin (1509-1564), Commentary on Matthew 11.11
Pray Psalm 126.1-3, 6.
How will you sow for the Lord and His Kingdom today? Commit your day to the Lord, to let your Kingdom greatness shine to the world.
Sing Psalm 126.1-3, 6.
Truro: Shout, for the Blessed Jesus Reigns
When God restored our fortunes all, we were like those who sweetly dream.
Our mouths with joy and laughter filled, made Him our constant song and theme.
Then the astonished nations said, “The LORD has done great things for them!”
Indeed, great things our God has done, Whose Name we praise, Amen, Amen!
They who in tears of sorrow sow and cast their seed on every hand,
with joy shall reach their heav’nly home, and bring the harvest of their land.
T. M. and Susie Moore
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment to give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).
We invite you to join us in ReThinking Church. We explain further at our ReThinking Church page, here.
Other columns of interest: This week: The Read Moore podcast continues readings from our book, The Kingdom Turn. Our Crosfigell teaching letter presses ahead in a series on the state of the Church in Europe at the time of the Celtic Revival. The ReVision column begins to examine the hope for the church, especially struggling churches. Click here to see all the other columns and writers available to you.
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Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter.
