11 “Truly I say to you, among those born of women there has not arisen anyone 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 suffers violence, and violent men take it by force. 13 For all the prophets and the Law prophesied until John. 14 And if you are willing to accept it, John himself is Elijah who was to come. 15 He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”
Continuing His commentary on John the Baptist, Jesus asserts that he was the greatest of all men up until that point, obviously excluding Himself from comparison. Just as Mary, the earthly mother of Jesus was the most exalted of women, John was the greatest of all men. Mary was the vehicle through whom Jesus entered the world; John was the vehicle through whom Jesus was introduced as Messiah to His people. Prophets before then had predicted Messiah’s coming; John pointed “most unambiguously” toward Jesus.
John’s place was not within the kingdom, rather it was prior to the kingdom. Jesus asserted that the least in the kingdom is greater than John. Believers have the privilege of knowing Christ personally, being redeemed and baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Spirit. We are able to point even “more unambiguously” toward Jesus with greater knowledge of Him and His redemptive work—the complete picture of which John had only a dim view.
Verse 12 has been variously interpreted (and translated) but suffice it to say this new movement of God in bringing the Kingdom of Heaven was not to come about peacefully. John’s own incarceration demonstrated that—something he himself had difficulty grasping. Certainly not the stuff for timid discipleship!
When Jesus said that John is Elijah (vs. 14) he qualified it with “if you are willing to accept it.” He knew this would be difficult for some to comprehend. In fact, Malachi 4:5 prophesied that Elijah would return as a foreruner before the “great and terrible day of the Lord.” Jesus, though, applies this metaphorically to John. Before John’s birth, the angel of the Lord had told his father, Zechariah, that John would minister “in the spirit and power of Elijah” (Luke 1:17). John himself, when he began his wilderness ministry, was specifically asked about this, to which he replied he was not literally Elijah (John 1:21). The thrust of Jesus’ comment was to point out that John fulfilled the role of Elijah, which the Jews believed would signal the Messiah’s coming. In other words, “This is what you have been waiting for, the sign you have been looking for.”
Lord, what a privilege You have given us to share the person of Jesus Christ, Your Messiah. This is a role greater than what the prophets had. Thank You.
Sometimes I get confused with prayers and Who they are prayed to. Is the Lord not Jesus Christ? Your prayer (to me) sounds like ‘Chuck, what a privilege you have given us to share Chuck, your chosen one.’ Please help my understanding.
Terry,
Thanks for your comment. I find that often the Scripture uses the English term “Lord” to refer to God in the general sense, without distinguishing Father from Son, as is seen throughout the Old Testament (for example, Gen 2:4 the first time it is used). Even the Lord Jesus used the term “Lord” to refer to His father (Matthew 11:25). In fact, Jesus uses the “ambiguity of reference” of this term to confound the Pharisees in Matthew 22:43-45 (quoting Psalm 110:1). In other words, the term “Lord” applies to be the God of Israel and to Jesus. Further, there are times when the English term “Lord” is used in the New Testament in quotes from or allusions to the Old Testament where “Yahweh” is the referent (Romans 10:13 compare to Joel 2:32). In fact, Romans 10:9-10 in context refers to confessing that Jesus is Lord, in the sense of Yahweh, the covenant keeping God of Israel–thus is a strong “proof” that the deity of Christ is taught in the Bible. So, even the Bible uses the term to refer to both Jesus and to God in general.
True, we are in the New Testament to pray to the Father (for example Luke 11:13) through and in the name of the Son. But, we are also invited to worship the Lord Jesus Christ, which would certainly involve prayer (talking to Him) in some regard. In honoring the Father it would seem appropriate to honor the Son (John 5:23) with thanksgiving and praise.
Having said all that, I have heard some inadvertently pray something like this, “Father, thank you for dying for us.” Of course, that is not precisely correct theology. Usually, this is said by young Christians. Fortunately, the Father knows the heart and can sort out such things and accept the childlike prayers those devoted to Him.
While I don’t feel the prayers I have written in the e-meds have been theologically incorrect (although I could be wrong, which reflect my own child-like mistakes), I can see how some might find ambiguity. I am not uncomfortable with that ambiguity (the Lord knows the intention). I hope you can find grace to understand that when I pray something like, “Lord, thank for sending us your Son,” that you will understand that I am addressing the God the Father about His Son.
I trust this makes sense to you. Thanks for giving me an opportunity to clarify this.
Blessings,
Chuck