Matthew 11:7-15

⁷ While they were leaving, 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 fancy clothing? See, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses.

⁹ What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I guarantee it, and more than a prophet.

¹⁰ This is he of whom it is written, “‘ See, I send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’

¹¹ Indeed, I say to you, among those born of women there has appeared no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom from the sky is greater than he.

¹² From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom from the sky has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force.

¹³ For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John,

¹⁴ and if you are willing to welcome him, he is Elijah, the one whose coming is predicted.

¹⁵ The one who has ears, let him hear. _________________________________________

the measure of a prophet

John’s disciples are preparing to return to him with Jesus’ answer. Jesus begins telling the crowd his estimate of John, knowing that as they leave, John’s disciples are listening to him.

He asks the crowd what it was that drew them to John. It was not that he followed the latest fads and techniques of oration. No, was not shaken by the wind. His message was trustworthy because he received from another source, an eternal source.

It was not that John was rich and successful in this life. No, a camel’s hair robe was not the fancy garb in vogue among the mucky-mucks. Locusts and honey was not the latest fad diet among the posh.

John was what he claimed to be. He told his world what God was thinking, and what God was planning. He warned his people to get ready for the kingdom coming down from the sky. John was not perfect – even the least of those perfected by that kingdom when it comes will be a better man than John was. But John did fulfill his role in his age.

LORD, thank you for the prophets who have come before us, and who walk among us. Thank you for using them to challenge us to walk in the ways of your coming kingdom.