Bible Illustrating and Journaling: Matthew 11:11

Annie’s Ink-Lings

This Week's Scripture Focus:  Matthew 11:11

I tell you the truth, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John the Baptist.  Yet even the least person in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he is!

My Study of John the Baptist

We are taught that God knew us even before we were born and that He had a plan for our lives.  Even as it is true today, so it was in biblical days.  John’s days were destined by the Lord.  He was born with a specific purpose and timing in history. 

            Truth – God has a specific calling and purpose for our lives today.

God knew exactly when John needed to be born and into which family John should be born to, as he was to be the forerunner of Christ at a specific time in history.  God’s timing was not late or early; it was right on time.  John was a relative to Jesus Himself.  When Mary went to visit Elizabeth to announce her own miraculous pregnancy, the Bible says, “the baby leaped in her womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.” (Luke 1:41)  Even before his birth, John’s purpose was being aligned. God was calling.

            Truth – God’s timing in our lives is perfect.

While John was born into a priestly family, he did not take up his father’s work and serve as a priest.  It was God’s will that John lived in the wilderness until the day he was revealed to Israel.  In this way, he would not be contaminated by the corrupt religious system of his day.  Luke 1:80 says, “he grew and became strong in spirit.” Prophets were known to use the isolation of the desert places to grow spiritually over time and to focus their message on God.  He was a Nazarite from birth and was filled with the Holy Spirit while still in the womb. Although John was a prophet, he did not perform any miraculous signs.   

            Truth – God gives us the power to keep our heart and minds set on Christ, even in desert days.

John ended nearly four hundred years of prophetic silence and paved the way for the Messiah.  Isaiah prophesized of John as, “The voice of one calling in the wilderness: prepare the way for the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.” (Isaiah 40:3).  John preached a message of repentance and baptism.  (To repent is to change our will in reference to sin, resolving to sin no more.)  “I baptize you with water for repentance.  But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.” (Matthew 3:11)

            Truth – Our mission in this life is to point others to Christ.

John lived solely to point others to Christ, and he was obedient to God’s purposes.  John was brave and was willing to speak truth, even if it meant his own death.  He didn’t let anything get in his way, but kept his heart set on Christ.  He was a strong and humble leader. 

            Truth – Humility and obedience to God matters more than what others think of us.

Jesus Himself said these words of John, “Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” (Matthew 11:11)

            Truth – No matter what battles we face in this world, there is always true and unending freedom through Christ.  He alone is our Hope and Deliverer

Blessings,
Annie