Greater is HE

Matthew 11 Summary

Having taught his disciples in the previous chapter that persecution was imminent, Jesus now is approached by John’s followers after John had been imprisoned for preaching righteousness.  John sent his followers to ask Jesus if he was really the messiah which was answered with a reassuring response. Upon the departure of John’s followers, Jesus declares that John was the greatest that had ever lived until that time.  Jesus contrasts that statement by declaring that the least person in the Kingdom of heaven is greater than he(John) is.  Jesus unfolds the truth that John was the last of the prophets to point to the messiah and that all the previous prophets looked forward to this time.

Unfortunately, although the Gospel was being presented by Jesus with supporting signs and wonders, many people in the cities they had taught (Korazin, Bethsaida, Tyre, Sidon, Capernaum, etc.) still refused to repent, similar to what the people did during the previous days of the prophets. Jesus concludes the chapter, by thanking God the father for hiding the truth of the gospel from the “wise and clever”.  Instead the weary and heavy laden received the truth and discovered how easy Jesus’ yoke was and how light his burden.

Read Matthew 11

Consideration

As we look at this chapter, John the baptist who was once powerfully proclaiming the Truth of who Jesus is, was now in prison questioning his Lord.  The reality of the prison cell discouraged him to the point of doubting what he knew was true.  Jesus’ subsequent response in stating “even the least person in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he is”reveals that like Moses, John had seen the promised land but had not entered in.  And so today I ask if this speaks of you? Were you once on fire for the Lord proclaiming the Gospel everywhere you went, and then the trials of life imprisoned you?

The apostle Paul pens his concerns about this very situation in 1 Cor 9:27 where he says that after preaching the gospel and doing the work of the ministry he did not want to be disqualified.  Beloved, we serve a God who forgives, restores and renews! Do not succumb to the lies of the enemy, but remember that Greater is HE that is in you than He that is in this world.

Prayer

God I thank you for sharing the glorious gospel with me and placing a fire in my soul to proclaim it to everyone.  I ask you to keep me from being ensnared by the prisonly trappings of my mind.  Help me to think on things that are pure and righteous and to remain focused on you and your Word.

In Jesus name I pray. Amen!

Read More >> https://ccfjax.org/category/daily-devo/