Matthew the apostle shared how Jesus, “began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went you out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind? But what went you out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. But what went you out for to see? A prophet? yes, I say unto you, and more than a prophet. For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before your face, which shall prepare your way before you”, and in chapter eleven and verse eleven of his book, Matthew shared how Jesus told the multitudes, “that has not risen a greater than John the Baptist” where we read:
Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there has not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
The verse reads, “Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there has not risen a greater than John the Baptist:” Matthew began with the word, “verily” which means “truly, surely and firmly” “I say” or “Jesus utters, declares and proclaims” “unto you” which means “to the multitudes”, “among them that are born” which refers to “by and with the people who are begotten” “of women” or “pertaining to female humans” “there has not risen” which means “there has not aroused, awaken or produced” “a greater than” or “an elder to, stronger than or a person more important than” “John the Baptist” which refers to “John who was a baptizer who administers the rite of baptism”. Matthew shared how Jesus told the multitude there was not a person “born among” people who was “greater” that John the Baptist.
The verse continues, “notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” Matthew added the word, “notwithstanding” which means “moreover and ” “he that is least” or “the person who is the smallest in rank or influence” “in the kingdom” which means “within the royal power, kingship and dignity” “of heaven” which refers to “pertaining to the region above the sidereal heavens, where the seat of order of things eternal and consummately perfect where God dwells and other heavenly beings” “is greater” or “exist as elder to, stronger than or one more important” “than he” which refers to “than John the Baptist”. Matthew shared how the person who is of the “smallest” within God's “kingdom” is “greater” than John the Baptist.
When we consider Matthew's words in this verse, we see how Jesus shared the exalted position of John the Baptist and told the crowd that the “smallest” one in God's kingdom is “greater” than John the Baptist. This may seem too good to be true, and yet, it isn't. God Almighty had a plan to “redeem” man into a relationship with Him through His Son Jesus, and those who submit their lives to Him shall be known as some of the most advantaged people in the entire world.
Next time Matthew shares how Jesus shares, “the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
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