HE THAT HAS EARS

TO HEAR,

LET HIM HEAR

WHAT

THE SPIRIT SAYS

TO THE

CHURCHES

HE THAT HAS EARS TO HEAR,

LET HIM HEAR WHAT THE SPIRIT

SAYS TO THE CHURCHES

MATTHEW 11:7-19

MT 11:7 As John's disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: "What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind? [8] If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings' palaces. [9] Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. [10] This is the one about whom it is written:

" `I will send my messenger ahead of you,

who will prepare your way before you.'

MT 11:11 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. [12] From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it. [13] For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. [14] And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come.

[15] He who has ears, let him hear.

MT 11:16 "To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others:

MT 11:17 " `We played the flute for you, and you did not dance;

we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.'

MT 11:18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, `He has a demon.' [19] The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, `Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and "sinners." ' But wisdom is proved right by her actions.”

John the Baptist was the first voice in 400 years to again prophecy about Jesus Messiah, and he was the messenger sent by Jehovah God to prepare the way for people to accept the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus, mankind’s salvation and deliverance. John was direct and steadfast in his witness of the Lord Jesus Christ. A “reed” was used here as a Hebrew idiom for a weakling, who was irresolute and unsteady in his belief system, speaking one thing one day and another thing the next day. John was not like one of the fresh green reeds that grew in quantities near the Jordan, his prophecies of Jesus Christ were steadfast and true. The people who heard John were like children playing a game and could not grasp the reality of truth that John was speaking about eternity. Can you accept that Jesus Christ is God’s Messiah, the One who has come to “call” men into the kingdom of God to live eternally with Him and His Father? I pray that you can. I hope to see you one day in eternity with all the saints, those that believe in Christ Jesus.