Matthew 11:7 As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swaying in the wind?
8 Otherwise, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? Look, those who wear fine clothing are found in kings’ palaces. 9 What then 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: ‘Behold, I will send My messenger ahead of You, who will prepare Your way before You.’ 11 Truly, I tell you, among those born of women there has risen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet even the 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 subject to violence, and the violent lay claim to 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.“
It was a familiar television scene. The auditorium was huge; the stage was ornate; and the furnishings were as lavish as those in a baroque European palace. The music from the large orchestra swelled to a crescendo as the congregation enthusiastically welcomed Prophet Z. Wearing a purple velvet cloak over a brilliantly white suit, Prophet Z swaggered to the front of the stage and immediately began making pronouncements. With each statement, the congregational applause became increasingly frenzied, until the noise was deafening. And everyone in the room was SURE that a true prophet had arrived!
Nobody noticed when a man in rags slipped into the back of the auditorium; everyone was paying too much attention to Prophet Z…. until the ragged man began walking decisively toward the front of the gathering. When the Prophet’s macho men attempted to grab the stranger, they found themselves paralyzed, unable to do anything. Meanwhile, the stranger continued his march to the stage, mounting by the stairs on one side. When Prophet Z saw the stranger, he opened his mouth to order him dragged away, but found that his face was frozen and that he couldn’t say a word.
There was a holy light enveloping the stranger as he strode to the front of the stage and whispered one word, “Peace!” There was no noise from the crowd, no sound from the orchestra because everyone in the place was on their faces in awe. And as the stricken people looked up, the rags fell away to reveal the stranger clothed in garments of light, his face shining like the sun. And everyone realized that the stranger was Jesus.
The story I have just recounted has not yet happened, but it could take place at any time. These days we have large numbers of self – styled prophets who reap enormous sums of money from their followers. These prophets can preach about themselves, but rarely do they glorify Jesus, even though He is the One they are supposed to be preaching about. Things haven’t changed too much since Jesus’ day.
The Jewish religious leaders knew all the prophecies and could recite them glibly. They were absolutely sure that when Elijah appeared to announce the coming of the Messiah, they would be the first ones to know. And yet, it was the common people, the shop owners, the petty traders, the fishermen, the farmers, the tax collectors, the people upon whom the religious leaders looked down, who recognized that John the Baptist was preparing the way for the Messiah. In this passage, John the Baptist’s disciples were just leaving after confirming that Jesus was really the Messiah. Jesus took this opportunity to affirm to the crowd that in fact, John the Baptist was the second Elijah mentioned in the Messianic prophecies. Jesus goes even further to emphasize that “among those born of women there has risen no one greater than John the Baptist.” Wow! Really? That meant that John the Baptist was even greater than King David or King Solomon. Incredible! Then Jesus makes a strange statement; he says that even the least person in the kingdom of heaven is greater than John the Baptist. What does Jesus mean?
John the Baptist was called to be the second Elijah, the herald of the coming of the Messiah. But glorious as that calling was, no earthly calling could compare with becoming a citizen of heaven. Even though John was a great man and a major prophet, he was still sinful. In the entire history of the world, there has only been one man who lived a perfect and sinless life; that man was Jesus Christ. Even John the Baptist needed the atoning work of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ to be saved from his sins.
Do not put your trust in prophets or televangelists! Do not worship any man or woman! Humans die, and their ministries die with them, unless the ministry is bigger than an individual. Jesus Christ is the only One who is worthy of worship! Trust Him!
PRAYER: Father God, thank you for allowing Jesus to come to us, to live as a man, to die for our sins, and to triumph over death and the grave. Help us to worship you, Holy Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit! In the mighty Name of Jesus. Amen.
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