Attention

Matthew 11: 11 is a remarkable verse. In this verse there is so much to be contemplated. With one statement Jesus draws a line in the sand and separates centuries of human history into 2 categories: old and new.

"I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he."

Geordie paraphrase of this verse is: "Of all the guys who lived up till now, John is the best of the best. BUT the person who sees Jesus as the King and responds like Jesus is the King, is better than John ever was."


That means that John is greater than Abraham, Enoch, Daniel, Isaiah, Elijah and, yes, I'm going to say it...David!


BUT if you have surrendered your life to Jesus and have committed to follow him. Even after the first second you made that commitment, you are greater than John, Abraham, Enoch, Daniel, Isaiah, Elijah and, yes, I'm going to say it....David!

You see, the New Covenant, which Jesus ushers in with his death and resurrection, makes available for us to live a life where the Kingdom of God can live inside of us. Heaven is now actually living on earth in those who believe!  

John never had that chance. It was never even an option. Neither was it an option for Abraham, Enoch, Daniel, Isaiah, Elijah and, yes, I'm going to say it...David! 


As good little Christians we know the theology of this but we fail to live it out as actual reality. Who do you pay attention to when you read the Bible? Moses, David, Isaiah? Abraham, Daniel, Solomon? The author of Hebrews, in chapter 7, calls the Old Covenant: "weak and useless". That means if we follow what these guys just mentioned followed, we follow something weak and useless!


The very next verse in Hebrews chapter 7 says "(for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God." The "better hope" is what I want! I want to follow the one who moves me away from weak and useless and towards a better hope.


My hope is is Jesus. This is the essence of the New Covenant. Jesus moves us closer to God and away from a weak and useless system. That is why what you have is greater than what John ever had. 


You have what the world needs. Don't kid yourself about your role and position you have. The hero's of your Bible have nothing on you!


Lets rightly divide the word of truth. Old Covenant=weak and useless, New Covenant=better hope!

Blindness

The Pharisees were not blind because they couldn't see they were blind because they refused to see.

This seems like an obvious statement because we have been trained to read and interpret that Pharisee=Bad/Ignorant/Evil.

The Pharisees were people trying to figure out this Jesus guy and where he fits if at all. What made them blind is their refusal to even open themselves to the idea that they might not know something.

Jesus comes as the Son of God, the exact representation of God and the religious "elite" refuse to accept Jesus.

Jesus calls them blind because their behavior dictates their identity.

Are we as blind as the Pharisees? Does our behavior show the world that we really are blind? Or do we make our lives available for Jesus to move through.

Does the world know you are a christian before they see you go to church? Does the world around you know that you are a christian before you call yourself a christian?

The real question is do you see Jesus as Lord? Do you see Jesus as the number one thing in your life? Do you see Jesus on the top of your list of important things? Not just near the top but above family, above personal agendas, above career or above future dreams?

If you see Jesus as Lord and your behavior reflects it the world begins to see the Lordship of Jesus and his Kingdom on this earth.

We will see the fruit of the spirit being poured out on this earth THROUGH us! All we have to do is begin to see. See Jesus as he really is: Lord, Master, Everything!