Matthew 11:11
NCV: I tell you the truth, John the Baptist is greater than any other person ever born, but even the least important person in the kingdom of heaven is greater than John. KJV: Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
John was the greatest man ever born of a woman. John was neither a prince nor a king. He was not a man of wealth, fame, or power. Who was he? He was a simple man who believed in the Messiah and who totally committed his life to that belief.
So what does Jesus means when there is a least important person in the kingdom of heaven is greater than John the Baptist? The people since the New Testament time may not have anything important like John announcing the coming Messiah, but God would find the humblest person who may have the privilege to be greater than John. Jesus did say something about this when the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” Jesus called a little child and had him stand among them. Jesus said, “Unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” [Matthew 18:1-4 NIV].
One of the song collections:
If you want to be great in God’s kingdom,
then learn to be servant of all.
If you want to be great in God’s kingdom,
then learn to be servant of all.
Learn to be servant of all, learn to be servant of all.
If you want to be great in God’s kingdom,
then learn to be servant of all . . .
God bless you!
Friday, January 23, 2009
Thursday, January 22, 2009
More Than a Prophet
Matthew 11:9-10 NCV
So why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, and I tell you, John is more than a prophet. This was written about him: ‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare the way for you’ [Malachi 3:1].
John the Baptist was a prophet. He was chosen by God. He was chosen to proclaim the message of God. He was a man who God could trust and be faithful to the mission. John had the courage to proclaim God’s Word. Jesus said that John was more than a prophet. What does this mean? Very simply, his message included more than the message of the other prophets. John’s message was the heralding [announcing], the actual proclamation [telling everyone] that the Messiah had come. In this John had a greater job than all the prophets before John. The other prophets only saw the future of the Messiah’s coming, but John saw the Messiah in person. The Messiah came to John to be baptized in water. So it was John’s responsibility to tell everyone that this Messiah is the Lamb of God.
John was more than prophet: he was the subject of prophecy as well as the messenger. Isaiah and Malachi prophesy about John, “The voice cried out in the wilderness to prepare the way of the Lord” and “God will send messenger to prepare the way for Him.” And then in the book of Matthew, it was fulfilled, “John the Baptist came to preach repentance and prepared the people to meet the actual Messiah.” No other prophets did this. This is why John the Baptist was more than just a prophet. He was a messenger for Messiah.
Dorothy: I pray that the Holy Spirit open our spirit to grasp Jesus’ words. From this devotion, it was the first time I finally understood why Jesus said “John was more than a prophet.” John did not have to prophecy about Christ. It was the fulfillment that Christ had finally arrived. Whoa! He is the King of kings, He is the Lord of lords, the everlasting One, God’s beloved Son, The beginning and the end, the sinners’ only Friend, His name is Jesus. His name is Lord…
Song: He is the King
He is the King of kings; He is the Lord of lords,
The everlasting One, God’s beloved Son.
The Beginning and the End. The sinners’ only Friend.
His name is Jesus. His name is Lord…
So why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, and I tell you, John is more than a prophet. This was written about him: ‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare the way for you’ [Malachi 3:1].
John the Baptist was a prophet. He was chosen by God. He was chosen to proclaim the message of God. He was a man who God could trust and be faithful to the mission. John had the courage to proclaim God’s Word. Jesus said that John was more than a prophet. What does this mean? Very simply, his message included more than the message of the other prophets. John’s message was the heralding [announcing], the actual proclamation [telling everyone] that the Messiah had come. In this John had a greater job than all the prophets before John. The other prophets only saw the future of the Messiah’s coming, but John saw the Messiah in person. The Messiah came to John to be baptized in water. So it was John’s responsibility to tell everyone that this Messiah is the Lamb of God.
John was more than prophet: he was the subject of prophecy as well as the messenger. Isaiah and Malachi prophesy about John, “The voice cried out in the wilderness to prepare the way of the Lord” and “God will send messenger to prepare the way for Him.” And then in the book of Matthew, it was fulfilled, “John the Baptist came to preach repentance and prepared the people to meet the actual Messiah.” No other prophets did this. This is why John the Baptist was more than just a prophet. He was a messenger for Messiah.
Dorothy: I pray that the Holy Spirit open our spirit to grasp Jesus’ words. From this devotion, it was the first time I finally understood why Jesus said “John was more than a prophet.” John did not have to prophecy about Christ. It was the fulfillment that Christ had finally arrived. Whoa! He is the King of kings, He is the Lord of lords, the everlasting One, God’s beloved Son, The beginning and the end, the sinners’ only Friend, His name is Jesus. His name is Lord…
Song: He is the King
He is the King of kings; He is the Lord of lords,
The everlasting One, God’s beloved Son.
The Beginning and the End. The sinners’ only Friend.
His name is Jesus. His name is Lord…
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Soft Raiment
Matthew 11:8
KJV: But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. NCV: What did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes live in kings’ palaces.
Jesus continues to pay tribute to John the Baptist. Jesus described what kind of a man John was. John was not a man who dressed up with soft raiment or clothing. He did not live in the kings’ houses to be lazy and be fed with fancy food and to take it easy. John was a man of discipline and self-denial even with foods.
In another scripture of Matthew 3:4 NCV: “John’s clothes were made from camel’s hair, and he wore a leather belt around his waist. For food, he ate locusts and wild honey.” John ate locusts? Yuck! Was that allowed? According to God’s law in Leviticus 11:22 KJV: “Even these of them ye [the prophet] may eat; the locust after his kind, and the bald locust after his kind, and the beetle after his kind, and the grasshopper after his kind.” Wow! God does allow that kind of eating for prophets who set themselves for God’s work.
In order to be a fine Spirit-filled Christian, it calls for a disciplined and self-denial life. Are you discipline to study God’s Word . . . in prayer life . . . in righteous living . . . bear forth spiritual foods? Let us pray. Dear Heavenly Father we pray that we will listen to the Holy Spirit’s urges to help us keep in touch with You through prayers, through Your Words and helping others with their needs. Thank You for the story of John the Baptist that inspire us and give us a new enthusiasm to stay close to You in Jesus' name we pray. Amen!
Song: Stand Up for Jesus
2. Stand up, stand up for Jesus, The trumpet call obey;
Forth to the mighty conflict, In this His glorious day.
Ye that are men now serve Him, Against unnumbered foes;
Let courage rise with danger, and strength to strength oppose.
[George Duffield & George James Webb]
KJV: But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. NCV: What did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes live in kings’ palaces.
Jesus continues to pay tribute to John the Baptist. Jesus described what kind of a man John was. John was not a man who dressed up with soft raiment or clothing. He did not live in the kings’ houses to be lazy and be fed with fancy food and to take it easy. John was a man of discipline and self-denial even with foods.
In another scripture of Matthew 3:4 NCV: “John’s clothes were made from camel’s hair, and he wore a leather belt around his waist. For food, he ate locusts and wild honey.” John ate locusts? Yuck! Was that allowed? According to God’s law in Leviticus 11:22 KJV: “Even these of them ye [the prophet] may eat; the locust after his kind, and the bald locust after his kind, and the beetle after his kind, and the grasshopper after his kind.” Wow! God does allow that kind of eating for prophets who set themselves for God’s work.
In order to be a fine Spirit-filled Christian, it calls for a disciplined and self-denial life. Are you discipline to study God’s Word . . . in prayer life . . . in righteous living . . . bear forth spiritual foods? Let us pray. Dear Heavenly Father we pray that we will listen to the Holy Spirit’s urges to help us keep in touch with You through prayers, through Your Words and helping others with their needs. Thank You for the story of John the Baptist that inspire us and give us a new enthusiasm to stay close to You in Jesus' name we pray. Amen!
Song: Stand Up for Jesus
2. Stand up, stand up for Jesus, The trumpet call obey;
Forth to the mighty conflict, In this His glorious day.
Ye that are men now serve Him, Against unnumbered foes;
Let courage rise with danger, and strength to strength oppose.
[George Duffield & George James Webb]
Monday, January 19, 2009
A Reed Blown
Matthew 11:7 NCV
As John’s followers were leaving, Jesus began talking to the people about John. Jesus said, “What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed blown by the wind?
Jesus was giving a tribute or respect to John the Baptist from Matthew 11:1-19. This statement interests me to study and share this devotion. Jesus meant that John was not like “a reed shaken with the wind.” John was not ordinary or weak like grass blown by the wind. He was referring to John’s righteous character and to his reputation as a preacher who refused to compromise his convictions. John preached God’s commandments without fear of others, never yielding to popular opinion. Herod’s sin was passed by in silence by all the Jewish authorities, but never for a moment by John. He rose against it as a rock, showing complete faithful to God and to His Word. He stood with God against sin, even though it cost him his life. John the Baptist gets a great reward in heaven.
Matthew 5:12 NCV
Rejoice and be glad, because you have great reward waiting for you in heaven. People did the same evil things to the prophets who lived before you.
Prayer: Dear Lord, help us to remember this verse that there is a reward waiting for us when we stand up for You and Your Word in Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen!
Song: Stand Up for Jesus
Stand up, stand up for Jesus, Ye solders of the cross,
Lift high His royal banner, It must not suffer loss;
From victory unto victory His army shall He lead,
Till every foe is vanquished And Christ is Lord indeed.
[Lyrics:George Duffied; Music:George James Webb]
As John’s followers were leaving, Jesus began talking to the people about John. Jesus said, “What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed blown by the wind?
Jesus was giving a tribute or respect to John the Baptist from Matthew 11:1-19. This statement interests me to study and share this devotion. Jesus meant that John was not like “a reed shaken with the wind.” John was not ordinary or weak like grass blown by the wind. He was referring to John’s righteous character and to his reputation as a preacher who refused to compromise his convictions. John preached God’s commandments without fear of others, never yielding to popular opinion. Herod’s sin was passed by in silence by all the Jewish authorities, but never for a moment by John. He rose against it as a rock, showing complete faithful to God and to His Word. He stood with God against sin, even though it cost him his life. John the Baptist gets a great reward in heaven.
Matthew 5:12 NCV
Rejoice and be glad, because you have great reward waiting for you in heaven. People did the same evil things to the prophets who lived before you.
Prayer: Dear Lord, help us to remember this verse that there is a reward waiting for us when we stand up for You and Your Word in Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen!
Song: Stand Up for Jesus
Stand up, stand up for Jesus, Ye solders of the cross,
Lift high His royal banner, It must not suffer loss;
From victory unto victory His army shall He lead,
Till every foe is vanquished And Christ is Lord indeed.
[Lyrics:George Duffied; Music:George James Webb]
Sunday, January 18, 2009
The Wilderness
Matthew 11:7a KJV
As they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see?
Jesus was giving a tribute or respect to John the Baptist from Matthew 11:1-19. John the Baptist through the messengers had just questioned if Jesus was the true Messiah. The questions had been asked in the presence of all. Some thought John was wavering in his faith, that he was weak and not consistent. The question began if Jesus was the true Messiah. It had affected the crowd and those who already believed that Jesus was the true Messiah that John claimed in his message. So now Jesus had to remind the people who John the Baptist was. There will be several short devotions to focus one topic at a time from the scripture what Jesus said about John the Baptist.
Matthew 3:5-6 NCV “Many people came from Jerusalem and Judea and all area around the Jordan River to hear John. They confessed their sins, and he baptized them in the Jordan River.” John ministered in the wilderness of Judea. This was not a desolate, desert-like area. It was a country area with at least six cities around, probably small communities or villages. God uses the wilderness (quiet places) to prepare John’s ministry for 15 years. When John began to preach, the gospel began in wilderness about the coming of the Messiah.
Quietness With God
There is one point that I could share and that is “Quietness” with God is important. Psalm 46:10 “Be still and know that I am God.” God has the very place for every one of us to serve. John’s place was in the wilderness; Christ’s place was in the cities and synagogues as well as the countryside. Where is your place that God has called you to? At home to pray? That is a great calling. Remember “Be still and know that I am God.” There is a message of a song:
In the Quiet of the Morning.
In the quiet of the morning, I will worship Your name.
I will lift my heart with singing, to praise You again.
For it fills my heart with gladness that remains through the day,
In the quiet of the morning, I will worship Your name.
[Music and Word: Couldn’t find the names]
As they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see?
Jesus was giving a tribute or respect to John the Baptist from Matthew 11:1-19. John the Baptist through the messengers had just questioned if Jesus was the true Messiah. The questions had been asked in the presence of all. Some thought John was wavering in his faith, that he was weak and not consistent. The question began if Jesus was the true Messiah. It had affected the crowd and those who already believed that Jesus was the true Messiah that John claimed in his message. So now Jesus had to remind the people who John the Baptist was. There will be several short devotions to focus one topic at a time from the scripture what Jesus said about John the Baptist.
Matthew 3:5-6 NCV “Many people came from Jerusalem and Judea and all area around the Jordan River to hear John. They confessed their sins, and he baptized them in the Jordan River.” John ministered in the wilderness of Judea. This was not a desolate, desert-like area. It was a country area with at least six cities around, probably small communities or villages. God uses the wilderness (quiet places) to prepare John’s ministry for 15 years. When John began to preach, the gospel began in wilderness about the coming of the Messiah.
Quietness With God
There is one point that I could share and that is “Quietness” with God is important. Psalm 46:10 “Be still and know that I am God.” God has the very place for every one of us to serve. John’s place was in the wilderness; Christ’s place was in the cities and synagogues as well as the countryside. Where is your place that God has called you to? At home to pray? That is a great calling. Remember “Be still and know that I am God.” There is a message of a song:
In the Quiet of the Morning.
In the quiet of the morning, I will worship Your name.
I will lift my heart with singing, to praise You again.
For it fills my heart with gladness that remains through the day,
In the quiet of the morning, I will worship Your name.
[Music and Word: Couldn’t find the names]
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Art Thou Christ? 3
John the Baptist asked “Are you the One?”
Matthew 11:1-6 NCV: After Jesus finished telling these things to his twelve followers, he left there and went to the town in Galilee to teach and preach. John the Baptist was in prison, but he heard about what Christ was doing. So John sent some of his followers to Jesus. They asked him, “Are you the One who is to come, or should we wait for someone else?” Jesus answered them, “Go tell John what you hear and see: The blind can see, the crippled can walk, and the people with skin diseases are healed. The deaf can hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is preached to the poor. Those who do not stumble in their faith because of me are blessed.”
Why was John the Baptist in prison?
Matthew 14:3-5 NCV: Sometimes before this, Herod had arrested John, tied him up, and put him into prison. Herod did this because of Herodias, who had been the wife of Philip, Herod’s brother. John had been telling Herod, “It is not lawful (not permitted) for you to be married to Herodias.” Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of the people, because they believed John was a prophet.
Now John the Baptist had heard what Jesus was doing. He asked question if Jesus is the One or should he look for another. Have you wonder why John seems to be in doubt whether or not if Christ was the really Messiah? John wondered why he was in prison when he may have thought Christ came to rule and John the Baptist would be set free from prison, but Jesus didn’t do that. John may have been in doubt if he had truly introduced the “right Messiah”.
Jesus understood John the Baptist and told his followers to tell him the Good News. The powerful proof that Jesus could give to John the Baptist was miracle of healings that had never been done before. This would prove He is the Christ and helped John to believe that God was doing His work, His way. John the Baptist was satisfied and later on he died.
Have you ever been in doubt of Him whether He is Christ or not? Jesus’ answer is simple, “Search the Scriptures for they speak of Me.” Now all 66 books of the Bible do speak of Christ. Jesus encourages us to search and study the Scriptures to help us believe, and not be in doubt. The Bible is a wonderful book to study and helps us to “see” God in action and Holy Spirit makes the Word of God alive in our hearts and in our spirits. May God bless you today.
Matthew 11:1-6 NCV: After Jesus finished telling these things to his twelve followers, he left there and went to the town in Galilee to teach and preach. John the Baptist was in prison, but he heard about what Christ was doing. So John sent some of his followers to Jesus. They asked him, “Are you the One who is to come, or should we wait for someone else?” Jesus answered them, “Go tell John what you hear and see: The blind can see, the crippled can walk, and the people with skin diseases are healed. The deaf can hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is preached to the poor. Those who do not stumble in their faith because of me are blessed.”
Why was John the Baptist in prison?
Matthew 14:3-5 NCV: Sometimes before this, Herod had arrested John, tied him up, and put him into prison. Herod did this because of Herodias, who had been the wife of Philip, Herod’s brother. John had been telling Herod, “It is not lawful (not permitted) for you to be married to Herodias.” Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of the people, because they believed John was a prophet.
Now John the Baptist had heard what Jesus was doing. He asked question if Jesus is the One or should he look for another. Have you wonder why John seems to be in doubt whether or not if Christ was the really Messiah? John wondered why he was in prison when he may have thought Christ came to rule and John the Baptist would be set free from prison, but Jesus didn’t do that. John may have been in doubt if he had truly introduced the “right Messiah”.
Jesus understood John the Baptist and told his followers to tell him the Good News. The powerful proof that Jesus could give to John the Baptist was miracle of healings that had never been done before. This would prove He is the Christ and helped John to believe that God was doing His work, His way. John the Baptist was satisfied and later on he died.
Have you ever been in doubt of Him whether He is Christ or not? Jesus’ answer is simple, “Search the Scriptures for they speak of Me.” Now all 66 books of the Bible do speak of Christ. Jesus encourages us to search and study the Scriptures to help us believe, and not be in doubt. The Bible is a wonderful book to study and helps us to “see” God in action and Holy Spirit makes the Word of God alive in our hearts and in our spirits. May God bless you today.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Art Thou Christ? 2
Religious Leaders Question John the Baptist, ‘Who are you?’
John 1:19-28 NCV
Here is the truth John told when the Jews in Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him, “Who are you?” John spoke freely and did not refuse to answer. He said, “I am not the Christ.” So they asked him, “Then who are you? Are you Elijah?” He answered, “No, I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” they asked. He answered, “No.” Then they said, “Who are you? Give us an answer to tell those who sent us. What do you say about yourself? John told them in the words of the prophet Isaiah: “I am the voice of one calling out in the desert: ’Make the road straight for the Lord.’” (Isaiah 40:3) Some of the Pharisees who had been sent asked John: “If you are not the Christ or Elijah or the Prophet, why do you baptize people?” John answered, “I baptize with water, but there is one here with you that you don’t know about. He is the One who comes after me. I am not good enough to untie the strings of his sandals.” This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan River, where John was baptizing people.
The priests, Levites, and Pharisees had been questioning John over and over if he is the Christ whom they were waiting for. Everyone in Israel was expecting the Messiah and they had assumed that John was the Christ. He kept telling them over and over that he is not the Christ. John quoted Isaiah 40:3 that he was ‘the voice’ to introduce the coming Messiah, the Christ. Jesus grew up among them and they didn’t know He was the one. Can you imagine that? Jesus was among the people all His life and they had no clue that was really HIM! Even Jesus’ own brothers didn’t know it. It was like they would say, ‘Him? Nah, He’s too human. We grew up with Him. He ate with us. He slept with us. He played with us. He teased us. He gets tired. He works as a carpenter. Him, the Messiah? No way!’ [Note: Jesus appeared to His brothers later and they finally believed that He was the Christ before He ascended to heaven.]
John 1:29-34 NCV: The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him. John said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is the One I was talking about when I said, ‘A man come after me, but he is greater than I am, because he was living before me.’ Even I did not know who he was, although I came baptizing with water so that the people of Israel would know who he is.” Then John said, “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven in the form of a dove and rest on him. Until then I did not know who the Christ was. But the God who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘You will see the Spirit come down and rest on a man; he is the One who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ I have seen this happen, and I tell you the truth: This man is the Son of God.”
It took John’s testimony to tell the people about Jesus. The whole 39 books of the Old Testament foretold the coming of Christ and He was finally ‘here.’ The whole books of the Bible were all about Christ. Boy, doesn’t that blow your mind? [To be continued]
John 1:19-28 NCV
Here is the truth John told when the Jews in Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him, “Who are you?” John spoke freely and did not refuse to answer. He said, “I am not the Christ.” So they asked him, “Then who are you? Are you Elijah?” He answered, “No, I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” they asked. He answered, “No.” Then they said, “Who are you? Give us an answer to tell those who sent us. What do you say about yourself? John told them in the words of the prophet Isaiah: “I am the voice of one calling out in the desert: ’Make the road straight for the Lord.’” (Isaiah 40:3) Some of the Pharisees who had been sent asked John: “If you are not the Christ or Elijah or the Prophet, why do you baptize people?” John answered, “I baptize with water, but there is one here with you that you don’t know about. He is the One who comes after me. I am not good enough to untie the strings of his sandals.” This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan River, where John was baptizing people.
The priests, Levites, and Pharisees had been questioning John over and over if he is the Christ whom they were waiting for. Everyone in Israel was expecting the Messiah and they had assumed that John was the Christ. He kept telling them over and over that he is not the Christ. John quoted Isaiah 40:3 that he was ‘the voice’ to introduce the coming Messiah, the Christ. Jesus grew up among them and they didn’t know He was the one. Can you imagine that? Jesus was among the people all His life and they had no clue that was really HIM! Even Jesus’ own brothers didn’t know it. It was like they would say, ‘Him? Nah, He’s too human. We grew up with Him. He ate with us. He slept with us. He played with us. He teased us. He gets tired. He works as a carpenter. Him, the Messiah? No way!’ [Note: Jesus appeared to His brothers later and they finally believed that He was the Christ before He ascended to heaven.]
John 1:29-34 NCV: The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him. John said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is the One I was talking about when I said, ‘A man come after me, but he is greater than I am, because he was living before me.’ Even I did not know who he was, although I came baptizing with water so that the people of Israel would know who he is.” Then John said, “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven in the form of a dove and rest on him. Until then I did not know who the Christ was. But the God who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘You will see the Spirit come down and rest on a man; he is the One who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ I have seen this happen, and I tell you the truth: This man is the Son of God.”
It took John’s testimony to tell the people about Jesus. The whole 39 books of the Old Testament foretold the coming of Christ and He was finally ‘here.’ The whole books of the Bible were all about Christ. Boy, doesn’t that blow your mind? [To be continued]
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