Of John the Baptist

Of John the Baptist

“As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind?  
If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces.  
Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.  
This is the one about whom it is written: “ ‘I will send my messenger ahead of you,who will prepare your way before you.’  
I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.  
From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it.  
For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John.  
And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come.  
He who has ears, let him hear.” 
Matthew 11:7-15
Here Jesus is talking about John he asks the crowd, “
“What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind?
If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces.”
Jesus paints John as a true prophet not one swayed by the wind. He did not always give good news or say feel good things to the people. He called things as they were.
He didn’t care how people looked at him. He presented the word of God and called people to repentance.
He’s saying John is the fulfilment of Malachi 3:1 the messenger that prepares the way for the Messiah.
He calls John the greatest prophet yet notes,
“yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”
Some commentators believe that the reason believers in Jesus are greater than John is because they are under the new covenant where as John is under the old covenant.
Still others point to Matthew 18:4 that states.
“Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” 
    Matthew 18:4
Which means just that. Whoever humbles themselves as a child and accepts Christ‘s message with complete trust is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
Jesus then notes,
“From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it.”
The Kingdom of heaven is advancing forcefully. The believers not flinching in their commitment. While at the same time those who oppose it are fighting strongly against it.
  Jesus then concludes his remarks about John by saying,
 “For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John.  
And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come.”
Again he give the person in this case Jewish believers the choice to believe. That John is Elijah.
What do you think?
Think about it.