Sunday Reading: Matthew 11:7-11
Key Verse: Matthew 11:11
11 Truly I say to you, Among those who have been born of women there has not risen a greater one than John the Baptist. But the least in the kingdom of Heaven is greater than he.
Devotion:
Jesus asked the disciples a set of simple questions to make them think about why they were following John; not to trip them up, nor to discourage them but to make sure that they were doing it for the glory of God. We need to ask ourselves that same question about why we go to church too...
Some people will go to various religious meetings in order to try and see if the person leading the meeting will stumble or slip up in some way... just as we might go along to a stock car race to see great crashes. Some people may go along to see the spectacle of all the religious leaders dressed up in wonderful clothes. Others may go just to be a part of the spectacle so that others may notice that they have done so...
John’s ministry was one where he did not lift himself up but rather made sure that everyone knew that there was One coming who was greater than all before and that One was Jesus Christ. John did not dress up in wonderful clothes, nor did he build the most wonderful building to meet in. John was a preacher that made sure that people heard the truth and did not get distracted by all the ceremonies that the Jews seemed to be sticking to rather than going to worship God.
We should be going to church to worship our Saviour; the One who died on the cross for our sins. We need not meet in the biggest temple we can find, nor wear the most glorious clothes we have. But we do need to come before God with the utmost respect; how we show that respect will differ from person to person. But what we need to do is direct all of our respect towards God and not to our surroundings or ourselves. Lift up God today in church and He will lift you up!
Points to Ponder:
How often do you meet with other Christians?
Is God the one being glorified in your meetings?
