How beautiful is this?! Take a look with me at Matthew 11.
Verse 2. John is in prison. Actually, it is most likely a dungeon – dark, dank and other things . . . .
This follows his having preached at the Jordan and having baptized Yeshua there; the Holy Spirit having given testimony that this Yeshua was indeed The Son of the Living GOD; having proclaimed that the Messiah had arrived. (See Luke 3:22)
And so in verse 3, John has sent messengers to ask JESUS a question. “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?”
In verse 4 Yeshua gives a response for the messengers to take back to John.
And in verse 7 JESUS begins speaking to the crowd about John. Does He ridicule or belittle John? Let us see.
7 Now as they were leaving, Yeshua began to talk to the crowd concerning John. “What did you go out to the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 8 No? So what did you go out to see? A man dressed in finery? Look, those who wear finery are in the palaces of kings! 9 Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, even more than a prophet. 10 This is the one about whom it is written,
‘Behold, I send My messenger before You,
who will prepare Your way before You.’
11 “Amen, I tell you, among those born of women, none has arisen greater than John the Immerser. . . . source
Not a word of condemnation! Not a word of disparagement. So unlike what we do!
Instead, He said in part:
A prophet? Yes, I tell you, even more than a prophet. 10 This is the one about whom it is written, ‘Behold, I send My messenger before You, who will prepare Your way before You.’ 11 “Amen, I tell you, among those born of women, none has arisen greater than John the Immerser. . . .
Do you hear it? Do hear the compassion? Do you hear the love in His voice? Do you hear GOD speaking?
I do and I am so grateful. This is a warm and soft and welcomed blanket rested lovingly around me. My soul is comforted because I too have doubted. I too have been afraid and more. And with this passage, I know GOD is not mad at me. He loves me. And He loves you too just as much!
