Matthew 11:7-15 Devotional

Matthew 11:7 As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 8 What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. 9 What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is he of whom it is written, "' Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.' 11 Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven is being sought enthusiastically and the enthusiastic are eagerly seeking it. 13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John, 14 and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. 15 He who has ears to hear, let him hear.

Jesus asked questions to help the people understand what God was doing and how to do it.  John was an example to follow.  He was not a reed shaken by the wind.  He was an oak that stood firm and did not waver in completing his God-given assignment.  John was not a man that sought creature comforts and status.  He was a man that was willing to sacrifice the soft life in order to do God's will of taking God's message that exposed people's sin, its consequences and called them to repent.  John was the last and greatest prophet that was to prepare people to receive Jesus as their Savior.  No one born of women was greater than John, yet one who was least in the kingdom of heaven was greater than John.  Who is in the kingdom of heaven?  People who receive Jesus, repent of their sin, believe the gospel and are born of God (Mark 1:15; John 1:12-13) are in the kingdom of heaven and greater than John.

Please note that because John began and completed his God-given assignment that many people were eagerly seeking the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 11:12).

God has given each of us assignments that would help many people eagerly seek the kingdom of heaven.  Do we know what they are?  Are we doing them if we know what they are?  Tomorrow I will lay out God's assignments for each of us that will cause many people to eagerly seek the kingdom of heaven and be saved from their sin and its consequence.