TEXT: MATTHEW 11:1-15
Key verse: “Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women
there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that
is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he” (Matthew 11:11).
Making heaven at last after leaving this sinful world is not the
exclusive preserve of a few people. The kingdom of heaven is for as many as
would believe the gospel and take it seriously.
In our text, Jesus Christ knew the impact the teaching and preaching of
the gospel would have on the lives of the people, and therefore devoted much of
His public ministry to it. Before this time, John the Baptist really prepared
the hearts of the people for the coming of the Lord by preaching repentance
from sin. Many of the publicly recognised sinners had believed John, while the
Scribes and Pharisees rejected the message of life that could have given them
eternal life. Though Christ praised John and his exploits, yet He (Christ)
emphasised that he that would be born again through the scriptures, shall have
a better heritage than John in God’s kingdom - yet as by violence. Christ was
saying in essence that to be born again and continuing, as a believer requires
a great measure of seriousness and determination.
For one to profess that he believes the gospel without seriously laying
aside every weight, and the sin which does easily besets him, is an indication
that such an individual has not determined to make heaven. One needs to be
violent against sin and be seriously committed to holy living. Being religious
like the Scribes and Pharisees without truly accepting Jesus Christ as personal
Lord and Saviour, makes the idea of getting to heaven like building one’s
castle in the air.
As you make up your mind today to surrender to the Lord Jesus Christ and
maintain a closer walk with Him, remember that you are entering into a lifelong
journey of obedience, trust and courage. It takes these to ward off the string
of intimidating obstacles, which the devil will want to put on our way to deny
us of the eventual laurel. And it is only those who endure till the end that
will be saved.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Nothing is impossible for the willing heart.
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