Matthew 11:11-15 NASB
Truly I say to you, among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist! Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and violent men take it by force. For all the prophets and the Law prophesied until John. And if you are willing to accept it, John himself is Elijah who was to come. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.
What makes the difference between John, the greatest man born of woman, and those in the kingdom of heaven?
It is being reborn in the Spirit. At Pentecost, the Spirit came upon the disciples by a violent wind and tongues of fire. The new thing coming at the hand of God had begun and was turning the world on its ear.
The world is giving way to a new creation as the labor pains of this process increase until we take our place in a new heaven and a new earth. The old brings forth the new and at last will be revealed at the birth of the accomplished word and will of our Creator. Violence gives way to the peace of Jesus. Violent men will give way to the peace makers.
He comes with the sword of His mouth, which are the words of life. Darkness will give way to the light and the earth will bask in the warmth of His peace.
Luke 16:16-17
“ The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John; since that time the gospel of the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is forcing his way into it. But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one stroke of a letter of the Law to fail.
The law remains though it is superseded by the new covenant of Christ. The Law results in death by revealing sin, but the grace of Jesus overcomes the Law and brings life.
No comments:
Post a Comment