Scripture

“Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”

Observation

John hears from prison what the Lord is doing. He sends word to Jesus to ask if he really is the Messiah. Jesus responds with the signs of the kingdom- the the blind see, lepers are cleansed and the good news is preached to the poor.

Jesus starts to talk to the crowds about John. He asks rhetorically, “What did you expect of John? A weak introvert in fine clothes?” John was the one sent to prepare the way for the Lord.

Although John was the greatest of those previously born, but now the least in the kingdom is greater than John.

Application

The signs of the Kingdom of God are quite simple according to Jesus- people are healed, dead are raised and the good news is preached to people who have nothing.

That makes me wonder why we focus on so many other things and neglect these basic things.

To be honest, I struggle with healing (let alone raising the dead!), because so often when we pray for people there is no immediate change. Yet I continue to look for a breakthrough in this area, and I rejoice in the healings that do occur.

I also need to work harder at preaching the Good News to the poor. I’m not sure how that looks in a relatively wealthy society such as Australia. The poor are those whose options are limited by their situation- the mentally ill, the disabled, the single parents. In a sense everyone who doesn’t know Jesus is poor and needs the Good News.

I see again the intimate connection between miracles and preaching the gospel. To see God in action we must be actively proclaiming the amazing news that God is with us.

Prayer

Lord I sense today that you are calling me towards something different about your kingdom to what we see in church. Please continue to stir my heart towards your plan for the world. Amen.

Related articles

• On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry Announces that the Lord is Nigh! – A Sermon for the Second Sunday of Advent (adw.org)
• Advent II: A both/and God (gotleeks.wordpress.com)