Daily God Walk for Thursday, May 20, 2010
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?… A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings; palaces. Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. – Matthew 11:7-9
What was the appeal John had to the people? Jesus was trying to cause the people to identify who John really was and what was his purpose. Why was it important to him to define John and his purpose? Because his own purposes and the purposes of the kingdom of God were intrinsically intertwined with the message of John.
The first point Jesus made was to determine what John was not. He was not like a reed that was moved by the winds of opinion that blew on any given day. His message was “repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand,” and the message was the same for the publican as it was for the Pharisee and any other person who would come into the kingdom.
Jesus also made the point that John was not royalty. John had not become so accustomed to the easy life that he was willing to compromise his faith or his morals to keep the good times rolling. His message to the king was, “Repent of your adultery,” and he was in prison for that.
So, who was John? Jesus told the crowd that he was a prophet, and more than just a prophet. He said that there was none greater in the kingdom of heaven than John. Then he said something strange. He said, “Yet he who is least n the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”
How could that be? If John was the greatest, how could the least be greater than him? Notice this; John was not in the kingdom about which he preached. His message was repent and get ready for the kingdom.
We who are least in kingdom must become stronger than reeds so that we will not be moved by the times and we must be careful that we become attached to creature comforts and forget which kingdom it is that we belong to. We need to ask ourselves if we are at least one of the least in the kingdom, and if we are, then what proof have we of that?
Principle: The least in the kingdom is empowered to become great.
Affirmation: I am the least that I might be effective in the kingdom
Prayer: Lord, help me to see that you have called me into your kingdom and have empowered me to be effective in the world today. Amen.
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