Read Matthew 11
John’s
disciples started back to report to John, but Jesus used this visit as a segue
into John’s role in what God was doing.
Jesus asked
the people to consider their expectations with
regard to John. Were they expecting
to see a man in fancy clothes in a fancy dining hall?
Did they go
to the Jordan just to take in the scenery?
Why did you
go to see John?
He was a
prophet and not just a prophet, but the greatest prophet sent to
humankind. He was Elijah for those who
had eyes to see. He prepared the way for
the Lord.
He also
marked the onset of battle between the kingdom of the world and the Kingdom of
Heaven which was breaking out everywhere.
God
had opened
his kingdom to
humankind as
never before and the
world fought against it. Even the
religious leaders of the day fought against it.
There were
prophets and there was the law that had preceded John, but once John—the
forerunner—came, the battle between the ways of the world and the ways of God were
directly opposed on this earth. The spiritual struggle was manifested on the earth.
People could
conform
to the patterns of the world or repent of those ways and seek the ways of
God. God open his kingdom to humankind
and humankind fought against it.
Think to
Jesus saying that he did not come to bring peace but a sword.
It was time to choose sides. You
can’t be a friend of God and a friend of the
world at the same
time.
God sent his
Son to
save the world not condemn it; yet, some chose to live conformed to this sinful world over receiving the One who came to save them.
It was a battle and those resisting the Lord fought violently.
But those
who received the Lord also came with gusto.
People knew who held the words of life and they did not hold back.
The battle
was at hand. Some trusted God and some
opposed him. Victory would be won on the
cross, but battle lines had been drawn on the earth in the hearts of men.
Amen.
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