Matthew 11:7-15 - Lessons from the lIfe of John the Baptist

In the earlier paragraph, Jesus had answered the disciples of John with a cryptic message when asked if He was the Messiah. The reason Jesus answered him that way, was also possibly not to cut sh0rt His own ministry. Bear in mind that Herold was recognized as the King of the Jews at that point. To come out openly and reveal His identity would cause Herold to be threatened. Hence the cryptic reply. And as John’s disciples were going away, Jesus began to compliment and said four things about the Baptist.

Firstly he was not like a reed shaken with wind, meaning he was a person of substance and not easily swayed by the fads of society. Unlike the reed that bends with the wind, John was not. He dared to confront the status quo of his day. Secondly, he was not one who was seduced by a soft culture. People prone to that kind of lifestyle could only be found in kings’ palaces. Thirdly, John was a prophet, one who was sent from God to herald the Kingdom.  Finally, he was more than just a proclaimer, he was a fulfilment of the Word. He was the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy: the messenger sent to prepare the way of the Messiah. John did not just preach the Word, he lived the Word. Here’s a lesson. God still need people with John-like character. People of substance; people who are not influenced by our indulgent society; people who dare to proclaim the Gospel; and people who practice the Word. Are we such people?

The tricky part of this passage is found in verses 11-15. What was Jesus saying? Jesus was talking about the prophets of two dispensations – the old and the new. Every prophet from Moses onwards up till John, were prophets of the Old dispensation. John the Baptist was the last who came to proclaim the Kingdom of the Messiah. Of all those prophets, John was regarded as the greatest because he came to prepare the path for the Savior. Jesus’ purpose was not to highlight John’s prominence but to show that people of the new dispensation are more privileged, because they live in the moment of fulfilment. In the Old Testament, we are told that Elijah would come before the coming of the Messiah. Hence Jesus said to the people, if they can see it, John was that Elijah who was to come. The last phrase, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear” is needed because Jesus had just interpreted the role of John, that had not been understood.

What does Jesus mean in verse 12 that “…the Kingdom of heaven suffers violence and violent men entered it by force?” Here Jesus was describing the born again experience. It is interesting that Jesus in talking to Nicodemus, would use birth to illustrate the born-again experience. Birth is not a casual experience, but one that is usually attended to by blood, pain and tears. If we have seen a child’s birth, we will know that it’s a violent process. Before a child breaks into this world from the mother’s womb, there would be pain, struggles, blood, sweat and tears. Similarly, we have seen people engaging in long agonizing prayers to bring about the spiritual birth of someone. None of us just woke up one morning and decided to be a Christian. In most situations, someone must have aggressively prayed and strategized to bring the Gospel to us. If so much has gone into it, to bring about our spiritual birth, we must treasure the new life in Christ and live it for His glory!