A TRIBUTE TO THE FORERUNNER.
Matthew 11:11-15.
MATTHEW 11:11. John the Baptist had been faithful in his ministry, and always pointed away from himself to the One who should come. There is none greater than John the Baptist, says Jesus.
MATTHEW 11:12. John was not one for wavering, but rather of the calibre of those whose passionate forthrightness was even now taking the kingdom of heaven by storm.
MATTHEW 11:13. “All the prophets and the law prophesied until John,” but now the Baptist straddled the ages. As last in the line of prophets pointing toward our Lord Jesus Christ, he became the foremost amongst them.
MATTHEW 11:14. Indeed, if you will receive it, “this is Elijah that is to come.” And now that Jesus was come, John’s ministry was drawing towards its completion. The time was drawing nigh when “Elijah” must lay down his mantle.
MATTHEW 11:15. “He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.” The ears need to hear the herald – but more than this, our ears need to hear Jesus. Our greatest priority in life is to attend to what He says. And hearing, to receive His word into our hearts, and to live it out in our lives.
