Matthew 11:11-12
Jesus said to the crowds: "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.
We are near the midway point of Advent. All of your preparations for Christmas celebration are in process or are wrapping up. You might even have had a thought of what this past year was like and what is to come for the next couple of weeks and the new year. But really, most of us are just trying to get to the next day.
God sent John the Baptist to help prepare the way for what was to come. John is last in a line of prophets and teachers. He's the end of the old law, the old testament. The new law, the new way of thinking is dawning very soon. The Jews were waiting for their redeemer and John had a few followers that believed he was the answer. Jesus reminds them that, and I paraphrase, "you think John was the greatest?…Even the smallest, least in heaven is greater than John." In other words, "you think he's good, just wait til what I have to show you." But our hearts have to be open to Jesus. Instead of getting consumed by the secular preparations for the season, spend some time in prayer and reconciliation getting your heart and soul ready for his coming.
