I See You

Matthew 11: 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."

Far from being embarrassed or angered by John sending two of his disciples to ask Jesus if He is the Messiah, Jesus speaks admiringly of John.

Just so we don’t get it wrong either.

You see if you had been part of the crowd of Jesus’ followers, the fact that John was now questioning who Jesus was might possibly have turned you against John, or perhaps made you think less of him.

Quite the contrary, Jesus says.

There is not only no need to doubt John, (for his sudden expression of doubt about Jesus,) but there is instead every reason to admire this wonderful man.

Jesus informs us He is very aware of all of John’s accomplishments, and this in turn reminds us He is also very aware of ours.

“When you went out to see John, what did you go out to see?” Jesus says. “Some softie? Some neophyte who was not up to his assignment? Some pretender, who only played the role so he could become famous and wealthy?”     

Not at all, Jesus says. He performed everything God told him to do in exactly the way God told him to do it. He completely accomplished God’s mission and desire for his life. How many of us can say that about ourselves? How many of us would Jesus say that about?

But here the lesson also takes a fascinating turn. Here is John, a prophet. “More than a prophet,” Jesus says. “The greatest of ALL the prophets.”

Then Jesus says, (quite remarkably,) “He who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” This tells us much about the greatness of the ‘born-again life,’ doesn’t it?

-Pastor Bill