No Greater

21. October 2008 by Bernice Davis.

Hello: 

Here is our text. 

Matthew 11:7 As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind? 8 If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces. 9 Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is the one about whom it is written: “‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’ 11 I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it. 13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. 14 And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come. 15 He who has ears, let him hear.

Today, we have the thoughts of Jesus concerning John the Baptist.  Jesus describes that John’s life was that of a humble beginning yet he is clear that among those born of women, there has risen none greater than John the Baptist.  Jesus again confirms that John was indeed the one who was to prepare the way for him and he also settles a major controversial issue in the New Testament.  Let’s look at that controversy. The Old Testament book of Malachi closes out with the following. 

Malachi 4:5 ”See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes. 6 He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with a curse  This close of the Old Testament predicts that before the coming of Jesus, the prophet Elijah would be sent to the people.  The Pharisees and Sadducees even asked John the Baptist was he the Elijah that was to come and John said no.  This caused great controversy and even made it hard for the religious leaders to accept the ministry of John the Baptist.   The New Testament leaders were looking for the prophet Elijah to personally appear again.   Let’s look at the account of the announcement of the birth of John the Baptist to his parents and it will help to clear up this controversy for us. 

Luke 1:5 In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. 6 Both of them were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commandments and regulations blamelessly. 7 But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren; and they were both well along in years. 8 Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, 9 he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10 And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside. 11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. 12 When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. 13 But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John. 14 He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, 15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from birth. 16 Many of the people of

Israel will he bring back to the Lord their God. 17 And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous–to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”   

As you can see John the Baptist would come in the spirit and power of Elijah and this is the fulfillment of the Malachi passage.   Jesus himself also confirms this in our text by saying “If you can accept it, he is the Elijah that was to come.”   There still raises the issue as to why would John not admit that he was Elijah.   The answer is actually simple.  Scholars argue that they were asking if John was Elijah reincarnated and John wasn’t.  John came in the spirit and power of Elijah but he was not the original Elijah returning from the dead.  Okay, enough for today, tomorrow we will continue our study on what Jesus taught on John the Baptist. 

Stay encouraged!!! God Bless!!!!!!! 

Don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily.

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