Friday 12 May 2017

May 12: Luke 7:24-28

Key Verse: Luke 7:28
I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”

Devotion:
John the Baptist sent messengers to go and find out if Jesus really was the Messiah; he knew the Messiah was coming and knew what He would be able to do. So, Jesus continued to perform miracles in front of the messengers until He knew they had seen enough to be convinced themselves. He then sends them back to John to tell him what they have seen and heard. Not to miss the opportunity, Jesus then turns round to the people around Him and reminds them of the scriptures which tell of this time when a prophet will come ahead of the Messiah and prepare the people for His coming.

But it is this last verse which I would like to focus on today because it says something very special to me: the very least in the kingdom of God is greater than the most important prophet who came to earth! Now we may argue who is the most important prophet, but at this time it was John because this was happening in front of the people there and then. Many of the people in the crowd had been to see John and many were baptised by Him because they believed the things he was telling them.

Jesus knows the Father because He had already been in Heaven and knew of the great things which were happening. Jesus knew the absolute truth because He was there with God. We know of the truth because of the people who have told us about the truth. Those preachers and teachers are great in our minds because they have opened up the truth to us in a way we have understood; but none of them are as great as someone who is there in Heaven because they are now living the truth!

If you find it hard to believe other people, then turn to the One who knows the truth and ask Him to open the truth up to you in your own heart. Jesus wants us all to know the truth so we will be able to join Him in Heaven one day. He has sent various people our way to prepare the way and we need to listen to them so we can find out who to go to for help. Once we do accept the truth is out there, God can teach us through the Holy Spirit and we can know the truth too.

Points to Ponder:
Do you believe everything you hear?

Will you trust the word of many people to seek Jesus, the Way and the Truth?