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Matthew 11: 11-15 | King James Audio Bible KJV | Daily Bible Verses | Advent | Week 2 Thursday
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.
13 For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.
14 And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.
15 He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
In today’s verses, Jesus pays tribute to John the Baptist, telling the crowds that John the Baptist, until the dawn of the New Testament, the arrival of the Kingdom of God, was the greatest of people. John the Baptist was a courageous, inspirational figure and had the honour of proclaiming Christ’s presence, then he looked on satisfied as his disciples went from him to follow Christ: ‘He must increase, but I must decrease.’
It is Christ who has brought to us the saving gift of grace. Those who repent of their sins and accept the grace of God enter into the Kingdom of heaven, becoming greater than those who went before could have imagined. John too, as Christ’s redemptive mission extends backwards through time, will be elevated to become a son of God.
The Kingdom of heaven has, though, suffered violence since Christ came into the world. The forces of evil are ranged against it, working with renewed vigour in their assault on the good. We are aware of the violence against Christ in his lifetime, of the persecution of Christians in times to come, and of the temptations to sin we encounter.
We in turn respond to the powers of hell with violence of our own, fighting the enemies of our souls to attain to heaven.
‘This violence is not directed against others. It is a violence used to fight your own weaknesses and miseries, a fortitude, which prevents you from camouflaging your own infidelities, a boldness to own up to the faith even when the environment is hostile.’ St Josemaria Escriva
Concluding Prayer | Love Revealed By Jesus Christ
Clear a pathway, Lord, in our hearts
to make ready for your only Son,
so that when he comes
we may serve you in sincerity of heart.
We make our prayer through our Lord.
King James Audio Bible | Endnotes
John the Baptist was a man of great faith and devotion to God. He lived in the wilderness of Judea and preached repentance to all who would listen, baptizing those who sought to turn away from sin and towards a closer relationship with our Lord. As the scripture tells us: ‘In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ (Matthew 3:1-2)
And there is Jesus, Son of God, our Savior, our Christianity. Jesus of Nazareth lived a life of love, service, and teaching, performing healing miracles that forgave sin and testified to his divine nature. As the angel announced to the shepherds: ‘Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.’ (Luke 2:10-11)
Baptism, an ancient ritual introduced to Christianity through John the Baptist, is a sacrament in our faith that symbolizes purification and renewal. Through the pouring of water, we are baptized into a new life in Christ and are made anew. And as John testified: ‘I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.’ (John 1:32-33)
In his teachings, Jesus proclaimed: ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life.’ (John 14:6) This reminds that he is the path to salvation and eternal life. And through the centuries, Christians have sought solace and guidance through the simple prayer known as the ‘Jesus Prayer’: ‘Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’
Finally, let us remember the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus went to pray before his arrest and crucifixion. This sacred site serves as a reminder of his unwavering faith in the face of suffering and sacrifice. As it is written: ‘And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.’ (Matthew 26:39)
May these words and the memories they evoke serve to strengthen our faith and our commitment to following the path laid out for us by John the Baptist and Jesus Christ. Amen.
Blessed Isaac opens with a profound image: just as a human head and body form a single person, so too does Christ—head and Church—form a single, unified reality. This vision reflects a central doctrine of Christian theology: ‘Totus Christus’, or ‘the whole Christ’. The head is Jesus, born of the Virgin Mary; the body is the Church, composed of all who are joined to him in faith and baptism [ … ]
Among all the writings of Saint Paul, few chapters have achieved the universal familiarity of 1 Corinthians 13. Its words are recited at weddings, memorial services, and public ceremonies, yet their familiarity has often obscured their true setting. The apostle did not compose these verses as a meditation upon romance, nor as an isolated hymn to affection; rather, he addressed a divided and vainglorious church whose members had turned spiritual gifts into occasions for rivalry, display, and pride. Into that contentious atmosphere Paul introduces ‘a more excellent way’ (1 Cor. 12:31): the way of charity [ … ]
Mary Magdalene, out of whom seven demons were cast, has remained faithful to Jesus, providing for him through his ministry and staying with him through his death on the cross. Now, while the disciples go back to their homes, Mary remains by the tomb, weeping for Jesus. Her love and sensitivity have led her to be greatly concerned about Jesus. She longs to take care of his body [ … ]
