This is the one about whom it is written: “Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way before you.” Matthew 11:10 NABRE
This is a rare passage of Jesus talking about John the Baptist. John was to announce the coming of the Lamb of God and he did his job magnificently. This passage seems like a conversation between two men who were on mission for God. John was falling to the background and Jesus was coming to the forefront. John asks a question; are you the one who is to come? Jesus tells John’s disciples to let John know what they have seen, the sick are healed, the blind see and the lame walk. Jesus then tells the crowd about John, sharing His own thoughts on who John was and why he was such a wonderful man. Of course Jesus quotes scripture about John, saying John was the messenger coming ahead preparing the way for Jesus. The scriptural quote comes from Malachi (3:1) the last of the prophetic books. The name means messenger. Most likely the name of the book came from that opening verse, about sending a messenger. Jesus goes on to say there is no one born of woman greater than John the Baptist. Which is interesting because Jesus Himself is born of woman. We see Jesus has great admiration for John. Jesus is complimenting John, something Jesus rarely does, expecting His compliment will get back to John. Soon after this encounter we read about the death of John the Baptist at the hands of King Herod.
This is an interesting relationship between Jesus and John, we get a rare chance to see Jesus speak about someone He knows, recognizing the worth of the person. I see it as a rare chance that Jesus words are meant for someone specific as well as all readers of the gospel.
Do you hear Jesus speaking about you complimentarily? What do you think Jesus means saying John is greatest of those born of woman?
Jesus goes on to say there is no one born of woman greater than John the Baptist. Which is interesting because Jesus Himself is born of woman. Share on X#bible’#godisgreat #jesus #christianity #dailybibleverse @youversion #BeAnEncourager #Baptist #great #Mathew #everybodyalways #god #jesuschrist #jesussaves #godisgood #dailydevotion #biblestudy #scripture #bibleverse #verseoftheday #pray #prayer #goodnews #loveeachother #godisgreat #thisVineyard #youversion #everythingalways