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The Truth of The Matter is- Episode: 189 Greatest, Greatness, Greater.
28 Plays8 days ago
The ‘’Words’’ Greatest, Greatness, and Greater are used considerably in all forms of completion that you can think of. One that is most common is Athletics. The arenas or stadiums where sporting events and games occur. This is where you will find some of the most talented, Gifted, and smart athletes in the world competing against one another. These words are also used to measure performance. Whether it’s in the past or present….. Individual or team. When you are on the biggest stages in the greatest moments. Are you the best in that category remains to be the question everyone wants to know. Continuing in the Gospel of Matthew series I read Matthew 11:11 and thought it would be cool to talk about what Jesus said from a Biblical perspective. I also wanted to address what Jesus meant when he said “No one greater than John the Baptist.”
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Transcript
Introduction and Podcast Blessings
00:00:50
Speaker
Welcome to the truth of the matter is podcast. I'm your host, Jonathan. And of course, this is episode 189. Let's begin by recognizing and appreciating all of our new and consistent listeners.
00:01:13
Speaker
We thank you all in advance for continuing to press play at your own convenience. And I pray that this podcast, regardless of the episode that you find
00:01:28
Speaker
So I'm back again. i appreciate your patience.
00:01:45
Speaker
don't wanna say put me out of commission, but made things a little bit more stressful. And so I had lost my voice
00:01:59
Speaker
But here I am today, hoping that what I have to share with you will be a blessing. So as always here on the Truth For The Matters podcast, we like to begin with a question.
00:02:12
Speaker
How has the Lord been a blessing to you this past week?
00:02:18
Speaker
And
Personal Reflections and Divine Moments
00:02:19
Speaker
obviously I answered the question and I say, you know, it came to me that I saw that the Lord has been having my back for the longest.
00:02:33
Speaker
And it was a scripture that
00:02:43
Speaker
So pretty sure a lot of you who are Bible readers are familiar with Matthew 7, 12. It says, so then everything, treat others the same way you want them to treat you.
00:02:56
Speaker
And so over the last month, it feels as though God gave me divine meetings where I showed up for others, right? Two weeks ago, I told you about how I helped a gentleman who needed a jump, right?
00:03:12
Speaker
I also prevented an accident in a supermarket parking lot. I helped a woman reach for something on the shelf that she couldn't reach after I saw two individuals ignore her.
00:03:26
Speaker
And another instance, I went inside of Dunkin Donuts to get a drink and I saw that there was a young lady literally picking through the garbage within the Dunkin Donuts store and I brought her a coffee.
00:03:41
Speaker
And I did a few other things, right? But just for the sake of conversation, I will just mention those for now. And I saw God really show up for me twice last week.
00:03:59
Speaker
I put up to a gas station. Now, unfortunately, I have this habit of once I pull up to the gas station and I turn the key to turn a car off, I leave the key in the ignition.
00:04:15
Speaker
I don't necessarily remove it, which means the radio still working, the charger is still working. And it was cold that day. And so I went ahead to pump my gas. And once I was done, I got back in the car.
00:04:31
Speaker
And when I tried to turn the key to start the car, I couldn't. It was as if, you know, it being so cold outside, it drained my battery. And so there was a gentleman waiting for me who was right behind me.
00:04:49
Speaker
And so I had to muscle up the courage to go knock on his window, let him know like, hey, I can't start my car. I can't move it. And i thought it was interesting to myself. I said, I could imagine that this guy had cables or if he had something that can help me get my car started.
00:05:11
Speaker
That's exactly how it went. I told him what went wrong. And then he went to his trunk. He had a car jumpstarted kit in his trunk.
00:05:24
Speaker
And we popped the hood and guess what? It worked right away. And I kept saying that, you know, at some point I'm definitely going to have to invest in one.
00:05:38
Speaker
And I don't want to use circumstances like these. I know circumstances like these are great reminders that, hey, when you're driving out there on the road, wherever you end up, it's important that you have a few things in your car.
00:05:52
Speaker
Just in case. Right. i also have triple a But then again, you want to make sure that you have things like a flashlight, maybe a tool kit for a little small things that you should be able to fix.
00:06:06
Speaker
But. This made me realize that I was in the right place at the right time to be blessed by God, and and I can only imagine. that if I didn't get the help, how much more longer
00:06:21
Speaker
I would have had to wait to get the help. It definitely would have prolonged my time or it would have kept me there long enough to prolong the time that I had to do other things.
00:06:36
Speaker
And so, you know, God showed up. in the most amazing way. You know, the same situation came up two months prior to that.
00:06:47
Speaker
Another cold day and silly me. I get out of the car. I leave a devil parked. I go inside to grab something. I come back outside and same issue. Couldn't start the car.
00:07:04
Speaker
Cold day. Couldn't start the car. And so I'm thinking, okay, I'm going to have to reach out to AAA. And guess what happened? There was somebody on the block, maybe a couple of doors down from me, who just got into his car.
00:07:19
Speaker
And I asked him, I said, hey, is it possible that you could jump my car? And he says, yeah, absolutely. And he jumped my car and I was able to go on my way to the destination that I had planned to go that particular night.
00:07:36
Speaker
And so these people were strangers and their willingness to help me was instant with no complaints. Now, I'm not saying be unprepared on purpose to see if God has your back.
00:07:52
Speaker
No, I'm saying God showed up for me. Just as much as I have been showing up for others, and I personally recognize his handiwork.
00:08:05
Speaker
And the joy that was on my face when they were able to help me and no time was wasted. One more thing. that I want to mention that actually happened to me last week, Friday, I had a flat tire and that popped up out of nowhere.
00:08:23
Speaker
And I remember in the moment, the mindset I needed to have to get through it, right? I had to stay poised and I was able to do that.
00:08:35
Speaker
And I was able to give thanks to God for keeping me cool under distress. I would say that's just keeping the faith, right? I kept the faith. And I believe when times get rough, you're going to have those moments of tests where we have to trust God.
00:08:54
Speaker
And in life, those tests are going to come, right? You can't avoid it. They're going to come. I believe we have to be mature enough that when they come, we recognize it and we have to put it in his in his hands. OK, because, again, they will arrive.
00:09:11
Speaker
And I believe we trust in the Lord. I believe he will see you through it. OK, amen, amen. All right. So the reason why I always begin this particular podcast segment with reflection is because I believe that God is continuously blessing us each and every week.
00:09:36
Speaker
Honestly, believe that God can bless the believer and a non-believer. I believe that God deserves the glory, the honor and the praise. And if you sit back and observe, you will see what God has been doing on your behalf.
00:09:53
Speaker
What we don't do enough of is reflection. So I say reflect daily and then you will notice the presence of God with you on a daily basis.
00:10:06
Speaker
Of course, it requires you to pay close attention to the details of your life. So if you begin reflecting, you will start to easily notice that God is a blessing you.
00:10:17
Speaker
and that God is looking out for you. So I say, give it a try and see his grace and mercy over your life. And the little things, okay?
00:10:29
Speaker
Now that leads us right into prayer. So let's begin with that. Father God and in Jesus name, I thank you for continuing to use me and many other followers as instruments for righteousness.
00:10:45
Speaker
As we continue to navigate this dark world. I pray that we keep the faith and that we remember who we are in you, Lord Christ Jesus.
00:10:58
Speaker
Lord, you said in this world we will face hardships and difficulties. but that you encourage us to be a good cheer because you have overcome the world. And so we believe that we can do all things through you, Christ, who strengthens us.
00:11:17
Speaker
Therefore, I ask that your word may never depart from our eyes, but that we remain in it. I ask that we have a sober mind in all the things that we do, knowing that we're doing it to your glory and your honor and your praise.
00:11:34
Speaker
Lord, I ask that you open up our our eyes to see what we couldn't see, our ears to hear what we are supposed to hear, and our hearts to receive what is only truth, which is you.
00:11:49
Speaker
And of course, our minds to understand and comprehend what you have said in your word and how in some cases you navigated through others to help remind us of that word.
00:12:03
Speaker
If you are in agreement, with me. Please say these things in Jesus name we pray. Amen.
Greatness in Sports and Biblical Perspective
00:12:10
Speaker
All right. Amen. Amen. Continuing with the Gospel of Matthew series.
00:12:17
Speaker
So I'm pretty sure a lot of us are familiar with the terms greatest, greatness and greater.
00:12:28
Speaker
Greatest, greatness, greater. Let's say one more time. Greatest, greatness, and greater
00:12:41
Speaker
are terms that are always mentioned and brought up for debate in all forms of competition that you can think of. One that is most common to me is, of course, athletics, the arena or the stadium where sporting events and games occur.
00:13:01
Speaker
It is also where you will find some of the most talented and gifted and outspoken athletes in the world competing against one another.
00:13:12
Speaker
You know, it's important that I mentioned that there are a lot of talented, gifted and outspoken athletes. And smart athletes that don't get the opportunity to demonstrate their greatness on a greater stage due to, of course, several unfortunate circumstances. And so I want to make sure that I mention them as well in this conversation.
00:13:35
Speaker
And the truth is, we may never know if given additional changes to some of those athletes in their circumstances, how different things would have been if they were ever allowed to participate and they weren't prohibited. And so in today's society, the terms greatest, greatness and greater is often talked about in order to measure performance.
00:14:01
Speaker
Whether it's in the past or the present, individual or team. When you are on the biggest stage and the greatest moments, the question that is often asked is, are you the best in that category?
00:14:19
Speaker
And that remains to be a question everyone wants to know. And that's subjective, obviously. And so the truth of the matter is when it comes to our sports,
00:14:33
Speaker
The people in the arenas, the stadiums, they are often worship and honored with praise and recognition for demonstrating their greatness. Players such as Tom Brady, Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, Serena Williams are considered to be some of the greatest in their sports.
00:14:54
Speaker
And humanity tends to be obsessed with who is greater and why. whether that's by individual or by team. And so I read the passage to today, and I thought it would be cool to talk about what Jesus said in Matthew 11, 11, and how a conversation about it from a biblical perspective, I think, needs to happen.
00:15:22
Speaker
And so we will look at Matthew 11 11 and the English Standard Version. Okay. Truly, I say to you, among those born of women, there has arise no one greater than John the Baptist.
00:15:40
Speaker
Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. Truly, I say to you, among those born of women, there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist.
00:15:55
Speaker
Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. Now, what I found to be interesting is that Jesus shares this information with the people. Of course, not John the Baptist.
00:16:09
Speaker
And so John the Baptist, if you read the scriptures, know that he never viewed himself as great. In fact, John didn't even see himself as worthy.
00:16:21
Speaker
So let's go to the word for confirmation. If we take a trip down memory lane, let's go to Matthew chapter three, verse 11. It says, I baptize with water those who repent of their sins and turn to God.
00:16:36
Speaker
But someone is coming soon who is greater than I am, so much greater that I am not worthy even to be his slave and carry his sandals.
00:16:48
Speaker
He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit. and with fire so you see what john does he calls jesus greater and he testifies about the coming of jesus now i want to be clear just because he called jesus greater i think in a nutshell he recognized that who he was, was of high significance, at least how the people saw him.
00:17:18
Speaker
And so I think he played on those words and said, obviously, Jesus is greater. And therefore, he's testifying about someone who was much greater than him, so much greater that he doesn't even want to put himself in the same category, right? On the same level, on the same tier.
00:17:45
Speaker
If we look at verses 13 to 14 in the very same chapter, chapter three of Matthew, it says, then Jesus went from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John.
00:18:00
Speaker
But John tried to talk him out of it. I am the one who needs to be baptized by you, he said. So why are you coming to me?
00:18:13
Speaker
So as you can see from both passages that I provided, John did not see himself as greater. Even if Jesus portrayed him as such, John did not see himself as worthy.
00:18:28
Speaker
either,
Miraculous Births and Their Significance
00:18:29
Speaker
which is why he felt he could not untie his sandals or carry his sandals. Right. Which is stated differently in some translations.
00:18:39
Speaker
He even felt that he wasn't qualified to be the one to baptize Jesus. Right. Which is why he tried to have this conversation like I know who you are and I know who I am and you are so much above me that I shouldn't even be standing next to you, let alone baptizing you.
00:19:02
Speaker
So now the question that I believe needs to be asked is, what could Jesus have meant when he decided to call John the Baptist the greatest? or greater, okay?
00:19:15
Speaker
If you think about it, based on what we discussed last week, right, John's overall attire was not anything special. So I would imagine that his appearance didn't capture people's attention, right?
00:19:29
Speaker
And we go to Matthew 3, verse 4, right? This is just for a reminder so that you can understand what I'm speaking about. Matthew chapter three verse four says John's clothes were made of camel hair and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.
00:19:47
Speaker
And so that clearly was not the reason. Right. then what could it be? And so this made me think critically for a while. And then I sometimes do that, right? I come across passages where I know it has a much more deep and profound meaning.
00:20:02
Speaker
And sometimes I find myself meditating on it, writing it down and seeing how maybe I might come to understand or know something different than what I am currently thinking of. And so again, I really take it seriously.
00:20:21
Speaker
when I put episodes out because I really think it's an honor and a privilege that when you share what your thoughts are what you believe a pastor is saying, you want to make sure that what you're sharing is going to be helpful and beneficial to somebody else.
00:20:40
Speaker
Right. Helpful in a way that it makes them critically think and beneficial. So they have a takeaway. Right. Because there's so many the things that the scriptures have to say.
00:20:51
Speaker
And I'm sure thinking philosophically, I'm sure thinking practically, I'm sure thinking spiritually is something that the scriptures want you to get and what your takeaway to be.
00:21:07
Speaker
And so. This had me think critically for a while and I needed to search the scriptures. I needed to search the scriptures diligently. And the only thing that I could think of that comes to mind is that what makes John the Baptist great?
00:21:24
Speaker
according to Jesus, will have to be the timing of his arrival and the purpose to which he came. Again, what caught my attention about John, right? The prophet is the timing of his arrival and the purpose to why he came.
00:21:45
Speaker
When John entered the world, it was under unique circumstances, right? So let's go and the gospel of Luke chapter one, verses five through seven.
00:21:58
Speaker
The priest Zachariah and his wife Elizabeth both were righteous in the sight of God and blameless. Now you would think that if that's the case, everything should go swellingly, right?
00:22:15
Speaker
Nope. What do we find here? Elizabeth was childless. Elizabeth could not have a baby and it made matters worse.
00:22:27
Speaker
They were older in age. And in today's time, that could be an explanation, a reason, a justification for not wanting to serve God.
00:22:40
Speaker
Right. Think about it. If I'm seeing righteous in the sight of God and yet I am not able to conceive. Right. I can't have a child of my own.
00:22:53
Speaker
The questions will be, God, why did you let this happen to me? This doesn't make sense. You must not love me. You must want my worship, but then you don't want to bless me.
00:23:05
Speaker
Right. And so when things don't go our way, we tend to create narratives to justify our actions. somewhat hatred or discourage more discouragement or frustration with God, right? And trust me, right?
00:23:24
Speaker
I understand your frustration. I know how stressed out you might be. And so we have to be mindful of the humility that comes with that, right? The humanity, the frustration, the feelings that we go through and trying to make sense of God's decisions and choices. And this is why we are allowed to search the scriptures to find out what others are dealing with, right? Because we're not alone. We're not the only believers in the world. There are many others that are going through similar, if not harsher situations than we.
00:24:03
Speaker
And so what makes this so unique is that John's birth was a miracle. And along with that miracle came instructions. Right. His name was given before Zachariah and Elizabeth could name him.
00:24:18
Speaker
Now, remember this. Right. You've heard me say this in the past and in the present and constantly on this podcast. Right. That the Bible is full of patterns, principles and precepts. And we would have to identify where else this has happened before, because if the Bible is full of patterns, then there has to be another pattern.
00:24:37
Speaker
And if we go to the Gospel of Matthew, chapter one, we look at verses 18 to 21. This is what it says. This is how the birth of Jesus, the Messiah, came about.
00:24:48
Speaker
As mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit because Joseph, her husband, was faithful to the law and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace.
00:25:07
Speaker
He had him mounted a voice of quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.
00:25:25
Speaker
She will give birth to a son and you are to give him the name Jesus because he will save his people from their sins.
00:25:38
Speaker
This is an instance where the birth was truly a unique one and there wasn't a discussion of what the child's name would be. Now, I have two more examples, but the difference here is that the name wasn't in the request, but the gender was.
00:25:54
Speaker
Not only that, but those male children will be used by God for his will, right? Remember in the prayer, I said, Lord, use us as instruments.
00:26:08
Speaker
for your righteousness. And I will say that
John the Baptist's Role and Influence
00:26:11
Speaker
these male children that were miracle children, miracle babies were born for the sole purpose for God to use them for his glory is on his praise.
00:26:26
Speaker
So we go to first salmon. Chapter one, and we look at verses 10 to 11. What we will find is that
00:26:37
Speaker
We're going to find Hannah. And learn how she couldn't conceive a child, and then we'll see what happens. So again, this is first Samuel, chapter one, verses 10 to 11, and it reads in her deep anguish, Hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly.
00:26:56
Speaker
And she made a vow saying, Lord Almighty, if you will only look on your servant's misery and remember me and not forget your servant, but give her a son, then i will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life.
00:27:15
Speaker
And no razor will ever be used on his head.
00:27:21
Speaker
See that? Look the request. The request was that if a son was given to her, she would give it to the Lord for all the days of his life.
00:27:33
Speaker
That is what he will be used to do, to serve the Lord. Now we go to Judges chapter 13. We look at verses 3 to 5. We find something similar. Again, it's Judges.
00:27:45
Speaker
Chapter 13, verses three to five, it says the angel of the Lord appeared to her and said, you are a bearing and childless, but you are going to become pregnant and give birth to a son.
00:27:59
Speaker
Now see to it that you. Drink no wine or other fragments drinks and that you do not eat anything unclean.
00:28:11
Speaker
You will become pregnant and have a son. Now check this out. Same thing that was said in first Samuel chapter 10 to 11.
00:28:21
Speaker
whose head you will have a son whose head is never to be touched by a razor because the boy is a Nazarene dedicated to who God from the womb.
00:28:32
Speaker
He will take the lead in delivering Israel from the hands of the Philistines. This is clear. This is a clear indication that God, that when God does a miracle,
00:28:47
Speaker
It is for his glory and his honor to be lifted up and praised. Amen. Now, to understand why John's birth was so great is because it was a miracle, as I said earlier, but I want to build on that statement, right?
00:29:01
Speaker
According to Luke chapter one, verse 14, this is in reference to John the Baptist, by the way, it said he will be a joy and a delight and many will rejoice because of his birth.
00:29:16
Speaker
Right. That's one. Two, check this out. We go to verse 15. It states, right? This is Luke, Luke chapter one, verse 15. We just read 14.
00:29:28
Speaker
It states that he will be great in the sight of the Lord. And isn't that not how Jesus. sees him right jesus is the lord by the way and yep part of matthew 11 11 it says jesus said truly i tell you that none is greater than john the baptist right and so what we get here again in luke chapter 1 verse 15 it states he will be great in the sight of the lord and if we go to matthew 11 11 our
00:30:01
Speaker
Starting verse today, said Jesus said, truly, I tell you that none is greater than John the Baptist. And so we get a connection there about how he would be seen and about how the one who sees him will say he was.
00:30:22
Speaker
The second thought that came to mind is that John has a unique mission in history, right? To make a way for the son of man. And in order for John to do that successfully,
00:30:34
Speaker
It didn't require a unique skill set or talent. As a matter of fact, as I mentioned earlier, when it comes to sports, what gets celebrated often is how superhuman an athlete is.
00:30:49
Speaker
As an aside, we know that in James 1, verse 17, it says that every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shift in childs.
00:31:04
Speaker
And so we know that God, our creator. Right. Is responsible for the gifts. Whether a person decides to give God glory through it or not, that is totally up to him or her.
00:31:17
Speaker
Now, in case. Now, in some cases, right, some parts of society have come around to admiring person's work ethic, hard work. Right.
00:31:28
Speaker
And I remember growing up as an athlete, especially 10 in high school football camp. there was a quote that I remember hearing, and that quote was always stuck in my brain.
00:31:40
Speaker
And that quote was hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard. Again, the quote is. Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard.
00:31:51
Speaker
And what I thought was interesting is immediately after stating that John is greatest or greater among those born of women.
00:32:04
Speaker
He then says, yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than
00:32:12
Speaker
which at first glance was confusing, I must admit it. It sounds like a contradiction, actually, but it's actually a paradox, which I have given you the definition before. A paradox is an extremely absurd statement at first, but once researched and well studied, may result in understanding.
00:32:37
Speaker
Okay. And so, yeah, the statement is a paradox and I'll explain to you a little while house paradox. Another reason I believe Jesus called John the Baptist greater is because it was predicted. Right.
00:32:53
Speaker
And Isaiah chapter 40, verse three and Malachi three one. And something that gets foretold has a unique importance in scripture.
00:33:05
Speaker
OK. So let's look at where it was said and what was said. So we go to Isaiah chapter 40, verse three. Again, Isaiah chapter 40, verse three, it says a voice of one calling in the wilderness, prepare the way for the Lord, make straight and the desert a highway for our Lord. And if we go to Malachi chapter three, verse one, it reads, I will send my messenger who will prepare the way before me
00:33:37
Speaker
Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant who you desire will come saying. The Lord almighty.
00:33:50
Speaker
So before I continue, I want to briefly talk about introduction introductions, introductions. What I believe gets overlooked is how. someone is introduced, right?
00:34:04
Speaker
Or something is introduced. And I think how someone or something is introduced as has a rather highly importance. The truth of the matter is the presentation can either be distasteful or pleasant.
00:34:20
Speaker
Another thing that comes to mind is your state of mind and circumstances plays a role as well when it comes to introductions.
00:34:31
Speaker
Why am I talking about introductions? When a person is in a rough patch, what is the first thing they tend to try or tend to be encouraged to try?
00:34:43
Speaker
Religion, right? Why is it religion? Well, they're looking for hope. They're looking for something or someone to place their faith in outside of themselves. Normally, the idea is a higher power.
00:34:58
Speaker
This is why some theists say, I believe in a higher power, but to then take the time to learn who or what the higher power might be requires time, diligently seeking and eagerly seeking one who is true.
00:35:17
Speaker
Right. And so we have to be careful of the expectations that we set for ourselves, because how someone or something is presented to us can shape our view on how we see it and how we practice it and what we expect to receive or get from it.
00:35:37
Speaker
So John was considered great because he was responsible for introducing Jesus to the world. Right. John.
John the Baptist: Bridge Between Testaments
00:35:47
Speaker
had himself an audience that would gather to hear him, right?
00:35:53
Speaker
Proof of that is let's go to the Gospel of John chapter three, and I'm going to reverse this 10 to 15. This is what it says. What should we do then? The crowd asked. John answered, anyone who has two shirts should share with have the one who has none.
00:36:09
Speaker
And anyone who has food should do the same. Even tax collectors came to be baptized. Teacher, they asked, what should we do? Don't collect any more than you are required to, he told them.
00:36:25
Speaker
Then some soldiers asked him, what should we do? He replied, don't exhort money and don't accuse people falsely.
00:36:36
Speaker
Be content with your pay or your wages, depending on the translation. Verse 15, the people were waiting expectantly, And we're all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Messiah.
00:36:53
Speaker
So John said that Jesus is the Lamb of God who will take away the sins of the world. Right. And we find that in the Gospel of John, chapter one, verse thirty five to thirty six. And I believe this will set the stage for those who either believe or reject. The message that Jesus had.
00:37:13
Speaker
And what he proclaimed to be his very nature as God in the flesh. Right. You know, what made John such a polarizing figure is that he priests and sounded just like Elijah.
00:37:27
Speaker
Right. If we go to Luke chapter one, verse 17, Luke chapter one, verse 17, it says, that He will go on before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedience to the wisdom of the righteous to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. Amazing, right?
00:37:56
Speaker
Change their heart and minds and point them in the direction of who the Lord is and the message he had to share. So John, to no surprise, believed in a lot of what Elijah preached, right? he He thought it was very important to announce a call to action for all nations and people of Jewish community to repent, right?
00:38:20
Speaker
You know, John was great in the fact that I believe what gets overlooked is that God decided to pick him to break 430 years of divine silence also, right?
00:38:33
Speaker
And we know that this has existed since the prophet Malachi, right? I believe wholeheartedly that John bridges the gap between the Old Testament and New Testament, right? John was the last of the Old Testament prophets. And understand the New Testament in some eyes believe that it actually starts in the gospels.
00:38:55
Speaker
But I believe up until John's message, he was still fulfilling what a prophet fulfills, right? he His preaching was the end of the law and the beginning of the promise that God made to Abraham.
00:39:11
Speaker
And so he was the last in a long line of prophets who predicted Jesus Christ. And yet he was the only one who could actually see Christ in the flesh.
00:39:27
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So John the Baptist, was the last in a long line of prophets who predicted Jesus Christ. And yet he was the only one who could actually see Christ in the flesh.
00:39:41
Speaker
And i want to highlight a passage that I think does a phenomenal job of pointing this out and us coming to accept and believe that this is a true statement.
00:39:53
Speaker
So we go to the gospel of Luke chapter two and we read verses 25 to 38. What we really want is verses 36 to 38. But for the whole context, I think it matters.
00:40:06
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Now, there was a man in Jerusalem called Simon who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel and the Holy Spirit was on him.
00:40:17
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It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Messiah. Now, mind you, this says his name is Simon, Simon, right? A devout and righteous man. It doesn't say he's a prophet.
00:40:33
Speaker
OK, verse 27, moved by the spirit. He went into the temple. courts when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the law required Simon took him in his arms and praised God saying, Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace.
00:41:00
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For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared and inside of all nations, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and the glory of your people, Israel.
00:41:12
Speaker
The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother, this child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel to be a sign that would be spoken against so that The thoughts of many hearts will be revealed a sword with pure shield. So, too. So that's ending in verse 35.
00:41:40
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So Simon was able to do it, but Simon was the prophet. Now check out this other half verse 36. It was also a prophet and the daughter of. Proel.
00:41:52
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of the tribe of Asher. She was very old. She had lived with her husband for seven years after her marriage and then was a widow until she was 84.
00:42:04
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She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.
00:42:21
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John
00:42:27
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John is the only prophet
00:42:32
Speaker
who was able to witness Jesus. Right. John was able to point to Jesus and baptize him, but no other prophet had that privilege.
00:42:44
Speaker
And we see that right here in the gospel of chapter two, verses 36 to 38. And so in the Gospel Luke chapter 10 verse 24, it says, for I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see, but did not see it and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.
00:43:05
Speaker
Take it a step further in a book of Hebrews, specifically chapter 11, which I call the Hall of Faith. If we look at verses, we highlight verses 39 to 40. It says, these were all commended for their faith, yet none of them receive what we had been promised.
00:43:25
Speaker
Since God had planned something better for us, so that only together with us will they be made perfect. What an amazing verse. And I love this verse because what ties us together is the action of faith.
00:43:41
Speaker
So whether it's old or new, what is commended is our faith in Jesus Christ. And so I want to conclude by addressing a statement, the other half of Matthew 11, 11, where I said at first, it sounds like a contradiction, but it's really a paradox.
00:44:00
Speaker
So let's reread the verse. Okay. Truly, I tell you, this is Matthew 11, the verse that we started with. Truly, I tell you, among those born of women, there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist.
00:44:15
Speaker
Yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. So understand, right? Followers of Christ. Christians.
00:44:27
Speaker
followers of Jesus have a unique position historically is because John the Baptist was murdered, right? Anyone remember that he was murdered.
00:44:42
Speaker
He was not privileged to see the fullness of God's plan in Jesus Christ. And so John was not alive to see the crucifixion of Christ. And he was not alive to see his resurrection.
00:44:56
Speaker
And so as and so for every believer who has placed their faith in Christ since he went back to the father to this current time now. and And of course, for the foreseeable future, we are considered the least in the kingdom of heaven.
00:45:13
Speaker
And us being the least in the kingdom of heaven, the foundation that was set for us or the prophets, right? All those that were murdered so that we can have our Bible, all those that set the foundation for what we believe today.
00:45:33
Speaker
These events, these understandings, these meetings is what makes us. Lease. But great, because now with that knowledge and insight, not only can we be ambassadors and representatives for Christ.
00:45:49
Speaker
But the belief or projection is that we would do. the value of works that we can do for the for the kingdom will be greater.
00:46:00
Speaker
And that's the vision,
Reflections on Biblical Greatness and Closing Prayer
00:46:01
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that's the view that you have to have, is that even though we didn't set the Christian faith foundation, we all have to walk and carry our cross.
00:46:12
Speaker
And part of doing that and part of being a blessing to other people is realizing that the knowledge and the insight that we have and most of the work, if not all of the work was done on behalf of us now to read it, study it, and then try to emtate try to imitate and inform others, or at least in the kingdom of God.
00:46:33
Speaker
right the foundation i was set that moses had built the foundation that was set that christ had built none of us and so on that note i hope that what i've shared with you today and understanding the true meaning of why john the baptist was viewed as greater has a lot to do with your understanding of the fact that he wasn't this amazingly talented individual, but that he was called by God to do a job and the job that he did while being himself was done perfectly in my opinion.
00:47:25
Speaker
And so on that note, we finished with devotional time. want to take us to Matthew chapter 20, verse 26. It says, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.
00:47:39
Speaker
And representatives and ambassadors for Christ, we must remember to serve one another humbly and in love. So here's a short prayer that closes out for the week. Heavenly Father in Jesus name, as we depart from one another, but never your presence, remind us to love one another as you have loved us.
00:47:59
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Treat one another humbly and respectfully. And always remember,
00:48:06
Speaker
That if the love of God is truly in you need niece and you see someone in need of help, try to help them. Be there for them. Look out for them. In Jesus' just name we pray.
00:48:18
Speaker
Amen and amen. And of course, until next time, the Truth for the Matter is podcast audience. Be careful, be vigilant and watchful as we depart from one another.
00:48:30
Speaker
But of course, never from the presence of the Lord. God bless and talk to you next time. Have a good one.