FROM THE SERVANT GENERAL
OUR THEME FOR 2020
(Part 19)
GREATER THAN JOHN THE BAPTIST
December 15, 2019
Today’s gospel: Matthew 11:2-11
Jesus makes a striking statement: “Amen, I say to you, among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” (v.11). The least in the Kingdom are we Christians. John’s greatness lay in his task of announcing the imminence of the Kingdom, but we arein the Kingdom. John had the great honor of being the herald of the coming of the Savior, but weare those saved by Jesus and who inherit the Kingdom prepared from the foundation of the world.
Our greatness is in our being founded on the Rock that is Christ. For us in the community of Missionary Families of Christ, our greatness will be manifest as we live out our calling and remain true to our name.
We are “of Christ.” John was a messenger who pointed to Christ, but we belong to Christ, who are sent forth as his messengers as well. John was the forerunner of the Messiah, but we as disciples are the runners of Christ.
We are “Families.” John was a cousin of Jesus, being born of Elizabeth who was a relative of Mary, but we are brothers of Jesus and children of Mary. John met Jesus while both of them were in the wombs of their mothers and later met Jesus in the Jordan, but we meet Christ and live with him every day of our lives, and he is with us always until the end of the age.
We are “Missionary.” John prepared the way for the coming of Jesus (v.10), but we prepare the way for his second coming. John baptized with water for repentance, but we are used as instruments by Jesus to baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire. John preached in the spirit and power of the great prophet Elijah, but we preach in the power of the Spirit of God. John preached in the whole region of the Jordan, but we are sent to the ends of the earth.
We have been destined for greatness. It happens as we are founded on the Rock that is Christ.
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