Matthew 11:11 Verily I say unto you, among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.
The Lord Jesus had just been talking about discipleship. It is easy in this generation to understand a soldier going to war in the Afghanistan, Maiduguri or Iraq and die in the process for the sake of patriotism for country. It is easy to understand that for politics we give up our land, buildings and even our lives. But when Jesus begins to talk about “blood and tears” the people of today recoil. Jesus had just spoken about: –
- A supreme love for Him-Jesus Christ (Matt. 10:33)
- A denial of self (not self-denial)-making God’s will your will.
- A deliberate choosing of your cross (Matt 10:38).
- A forsaking of ALL to follow Him-Jesus.
John the Baptist-the greatest of all them born of a woman and the least in the kingdom of heaven.
It is noteworthy to know this truth. When you hear this word you wonder!! If all that had arisen in this world, there was non-greater than John and yet he is the least in the kingdom of heaven, then this new thing was one of surpassing greatness. However, I don’t think that we understand this!
~Why is John the Baptism the greatest among them that are born women?
- The prophesies concerning Christ were fulfilled in John as the forerunner.
- John the Baptist had the best grasp of what all the old Testament people spoke of but did not see happen.
- John the Baptist saw and enjoyed the salvation which others prophesied.
- John the Baptist preached repentance and forgiveness of sin all pointing to the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus-that is why Jesus was baptized of him to fulfil all righteousness.
~ What kind of lifestyle did John lead to match his calling?
- Jesus said of him- “not a man shaken with the reed” –a man of purpose
- John the Baptist was not effeminate-he was not cloth with soft clothing and all the delicacies of this world. Not one entrapped by a delicate lifestyle-1 Cor.6:9. Not a profane person.
- He was prophet-yea !! more than a prophet- he lived like a prophet
- John the Baptist received a reward-named as the greatest man that ever lived before Jesus Christ.
Why is it that only the violent take the kingdom by force?
- War is inevitable for 2 reasons on this side of heaven.
- The assault of the enemy -Job 5:7; 41:1; Eph. 6:10-18.
- When war is commanded by the Lord, you have no option so God would punish the enemy. Matthew 6:9-11; Luke 10:1-22
- Why would the enemy assault us? The greatness to which we have been lifted by the privilege of entrance into the kingdom of God is the envy of Satan, however the believers do not recognize how precious it is to be included in this great heavenly plan.
Illustration
Gen. 25: 24 And when her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb.
25 And the first came out red, all over like a hairy garment; and they called his name Esau.
26 And after that came his brother out, and his hand took hold on Esau\’s heel; and his name was called Jacob: and Isaac was threescore years old when she bare them.
27 And the boys grew: and Esau was a cunning hunter, a man of the field; and Jacob was a plain man, dwelling in tents.
28 And Isaac loved Esau, because he did eat of his venison: but Rebekah loved Jacob.
29 And Jacob sod pottage: and Esau came from the field, and he was faint:
30 And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint: therefore was his name called Edom.
31 And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright.
32 And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me?
33 And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob.
34 Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentils; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright.
Esau was profane. He was a person having or indicating contempt, irreverence, and disrespect for a divine order and sacred things. Esau trade his birthright giving the right of the first born to Jacob for food. He lost the privilege of God being called, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Esau but now the living God is called the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
Birthright.
This is a major issue in the New Testament.
- Jesus is first born of every creature- Col.1:15
- Jesus Christ is first born in the kingdom of Redemption-Rom. 8:29
- Jesus Christ is first born of the eternal kingdom- Col 1:18.
Jesus Christ has pre-eminence of all things in the visible and the invisible world.
Now, How about the believers?
- We are the first fruits of His creature -James 1:18
- We are the church of the first born- Heb.12:22-23.
It is important that in the realm of the spirit the birthright is not reckoned in order of birth with respect to time but reckoned according to RANK and DIGNITY as it is written in Psalms 89:26-28 and 1Chron. 5:1-2 also in 1 Chron. 26:10.
What does the birthright mean to you? To us in the church it means
- Position of authority-all authority is delegated to us! Matt 28:18-20, Matt 11:5-6.
- Priestly service-to approach to God almighty.
- Double portion of the inheritance belongs to the first born.
Kingship belongs to the church, heavenly blessing and eternal kingdom and eternal life. It is written: –
Matt 13: 24 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:
25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.
26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.
Why would the enemy come and show tares among the wheat? That is war! If what we have is not precious, why would the enemy contaminate it and cause confusion?
Matt 13:31 Another parable put he, forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field:
32 Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.
Notice the issue here and the emphasis of our Lord-the kingdom of God is the greatest anyone could wish for. It is first small and then begins to grow and outgrows everything and all things around it.
Matt 13:33 Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leaven.
Matt 13:44 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.
It is important to resolve the phrases Kingdom of God and Kingdom of heaven. The Kingdom of God is the kingdom that is of God and the Kingdom of Heaven is the kingdom that is from heaven.
Matt 13:45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:
46 Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.
Every one of these parables convey heaven’s view of the veracity, the greatness and that a reasonable businessman will sell ALL he has to buy or invest into the kingdom because of the Return On Investment-ROI.
Jesus used every opportunity to speak of the greatness of the kingdom. This is the reason Satan has an axe to grind with us.
We take the Kingdom by force!
Matt.11:12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.
This is the language of war! Certainly not the war of natural weapons or with flesh and blood. The Lord God almighty teaches His children war.
- God left some issues for His children to prove them as in the book of Judges 3:1-2. You have to be violent.
- When the religiously perfect and intelligentsia (the Pharisees and Sadducees) reject this precious call, the tax-gatherers –(who were despised and rejected in those days as traitors and sinners) ceased and possessed the Kingdom of righteousness peace and joy. Lk 7:27-30. You have to violent to make a choice other than dead religion.
- All hell breaks loose opposing every step we take if you are absolutely determined to give up your sins and evil companions. Your absolution and determination is violence.
- We need violent EARNESTNESS!!
- When a city is besieged in the Old Testament, the city wall is surrounded by enemy fire-power-battering rams, arrows habergeons etc., today is done with artillery, air craft bombardments, bombs etc. – and the city is pummeled to submission so as to capture it-the violent in the way take the kingdom by spiritual
- Examples abound in the New Testament of this violence of faith. The woman with the issue of blood is an example. She pressed in and thrusted men to take it! She had to push her way through.
- The 4 men who uncovered the roof to put a sick man right there where Jesus could touch him was a violence of faith.
- Bartemeus, the son of Timeus-Mark 10:1-52 received his sight when he cried and defied every discouragement and every weight and single demand: that I May RECEIVE MY SIGHT!
- We see in Matt 3:9 that nationality or familial relationship is not the issue. Luke 7:27-30.
- We have to be strongly excited! We violently take it by force-they are not lazy wishes and cold endeavors that will produce!
- The violent are those who are ready to eagerly seize upon blessings of the New Testament.
- Oh that we could see more holy violence in the church-sloth, lethargy and ease are robbing us Jesus of the reward of His suffering, His glory and the church its success.
In Mark 10:1-52, the Lord Jesus presents several issues of life-
- Marriage and divorce
- Children issues
- Eternal life
- Wealth and the dangers thereof
- Rewards to them that give all.
- Earthly and selfish ambitions.
- Death
- And blind Bartimeus
This is a very interesting list but the last on this list points to a violent man who ceased on the solution by the violence of faith. Many are too lackadaisical in attitude and mood to take anything by force.
Decisions
- Acquire A Passionate Eagerness
- End All Indifference to The Things of the Lord
- Put on a holy resolution to the things of God
- “I refuse to use dead formality but apply a living violence”
- Seek the kingdom and grasp it like John with zeal and press into all that is available
- The clearer the revelation the more the zeal to pursue the mercy and grace of God.
- If you understand the greatness of God’s kingdom, then nothing but violence of faith will win.
The publicans, sinners, harlots, tax collectors were considered unworthy just as many today who are preachers, children of preachers and high the mighty of religion and academia. The ones considered unworthy possessed the kingdom of God through violent invasion and as bold intruders. What a pity many who started well are no more!
Prayers
All spiritual lameness, vanish. All spiritual deafness, come out. All spiritual slothfulness, go now! All spiritual blindness begin to go! All sluggish spirits come out! Every snail spirits operating with me I command you to go! I recover lost ground in Jesus name.
In Jesus Name. Amen.
—————————-
Message given on Sunday the 16th of April, 2017 @ Fullstature Missions Church, Conference Center for the Nations, 4 Parliament Highway, Secretariat, Ibadan, Oyo State Nigeria.
By I. D. Lawon.