Passage: Matthew 11:7-19
Points
1. John the Baptist prepared the way for Christ.
2. According to Jesus, no one had come any greater than John the Baptist.
3. Wisdom is proved right by her actions.
Personalize
The prophet is not accepted by those who hear his message. John did not preach a light message, but one of repentance and one of judgement to prepare for the coming of Christ. Those who heard the message were selective in their hearing and they heard what they wanted to hear. Jesus told them “he who has ears, let him hear.” John was not seen as a prophet but as a demon. They were closed to his message.
Speaking truths will not always be accepted and when we are recipients of the message, we are not always willing to listen. When God sends a prophet we must be willing to hear what is being said. Making adjustments to the God’s message being delivered is necessary in fulfilling God’s will for our lives. No matter how hard the medicine might be to swallow, God’s word is a medicine we need for healing of our soul’s condition. Let us listen to the prophets who speak God’s word.
Prayer
Lord may we listen to hard words spoken. When our life does not fall in line with your Word may we not ridicule the prophet, but may we listen to the truths spoken. We know your word will require us to make adjustments within our lives. Lord may we hear your spoken and written word and may we be willing to make adjustments in our lives.
