Christian Art | King James Audio Bible | Daily Bible Verses Advent | Week 2 Thursday
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.
We are called once more by Jesus to seek perfection as our acts of mercy imitate, insofar as we are able, the mercy of God. We are taught again of the inseparability of our relationship with each other in the body of Christ, in the brotherhood of man, and of our relationship with God [ … ]
Christian Art | Life Of Jesus In The Gospels | King James Audio Bible KJV The Gospel Of Saint John 14: 1-7 | King James Audio Bible YouTube: Connection With The Life Of Jesus In The Gospels | King James Audio Bible The Gospels are not just a collection of stories or teachings, but a window into the life of Jesus. By reading and reflecting on the Gospels, we gain a deeper understanding of who Jesus was and what he came to do. As we read the Gospels, we see that Jesus was a man of great compassion and love. Jesus showed mercy to the outcasts and the marginalized, and he offered healing and hope to those who were in need. He also taught with authority, challenging the religious leaders of his day and offering a new way of living based on love and service. But the Gospels are not just a history lesson. They are also an invitation for us to enter into a relationship with Jesus. By reading and meditating on the Gospels, we can come to know Jesus more personally and deeply. We can learn from his example and seek to follow in his footsteps. So we may be encouraged to read the Gospels, perhaps starting with the Gospel of Mark or the Gospel of John, as we read paying attention to how Jesus interacted with others and how he responded to different situations. We may ask ourselves what you can learn from his words and actions, and how we can apply them to our own lives. And as we read, we can allow ourselves to be drawn into a closer relationship with Jesus. There truly is an historical Jesus. May the Gospels be a source of guidance, inspiration, and transformation for us all. How Much In The Gospels Is Historical, And How Much Is Myth, Legend, Trope, Figurative Thinking? It is difficult to say with certainty how much of the Gospels is historical in the modern sense of the word and how much is myth, legend, trope, or figurative thinking. The Gospels were written some years after the events they describe, and they were written from the perspective of the early Christian community. This means that the Gospels may contain a mix of historical facts and interpretation, as well as elements of myth, legend, and figurative thinking. That being said, scholars believe that the Gospels contain a good deal of historical information. For example, the Gospels describe specific places and events, such as the places where Jesus preached and the events of his trial and Crucifixion. These details suggest that the writers of the Gospels had access to historical information and intended to provide an accurate account of what happened. On the other hand, the Gospels also contain elements that are not seen by all as historical, howsoever this goes to the root of the faith, such as the miracles performed by Jesus and the accounts of his resurrection. Some see these as legends or myths that were added to the Gospels to help convey the message of the early Christian community. The question of how much of the Gospels is historical and how much is myth, legend, or figurative thinking is complex. What is important is that we approach the Gospels with an open mind and a willingness to engage with the stories and teachings they contain. We are in the Gospels in conversation with God – and with the many people who have had such faith and conversations – as with the historical Jesus. Why Do The Gospels Say Were People Afraid Of Jesus? There are several reasons why people may have been afraid of Jesus, according to the Gospels. One reason is that Jesus was a powerful and charismatic figure who challenged the religious and political authorities of his time. He spoke out against corruption and injustice, and he called on people to repent and turn to God. This type of behaviour was seen as threatening by those in positions of power, and they may have been afraid of losing their influence or authority. Another reason is that Jesus performed many miracles, such as healing the sick and casting out demons. These miracles were seen as evidence of his divine power, and they may have made people afraid of him. Some people may have been afraid of being healed or possessed by Jesus, while others may have been afraid of what would happen if they did not believe in him. Finally, some people may have been afraid of Jesus because of the prophecies and expectations of the coming of a messiah. The Jews of Jesus’ time were looking for a saviour who would deliver them from oppression and establish a kingdom of God on earth. When Jesus arrived on the scene, he may have been seen as a threat to the status quo, and some people may have been afraid of what he might do. Might The Fear Be Related To The Fear Of God – The Injunction To Fear God? Yes, it is possible that the fear of Jesus mentioned in the Gospels may be related to the fear of God. In the Old Testament, the fear of God is often used to describe a deep reverence and awe for God, as well as a sense of humility and obedience in the face of his greatness. This fear of God is seen as a positive and necessary quality for a faithful believer, and it is often linked to the idea of fearing God’s punishment or judgement. In the New Testament, the fear of God is also mentioned, but it is often portrayed in a more positive light. For example, in the Gospel of Luke, Jesus tells his followers not to be afraid of those who can only kill the body, but to fear God, who can destroy both body and soul (Luke 12:4-5). This suggests that the fear of God is not just about punishment, but about a deep respect for […]
In the Garden of Gethsemane, the presence of the angel becomes a symbol of divine comfort and support during Jesus’ moment of utmost agony. As Jesus withdrew a stone’s cast away from his disciples and fell on the ground to pray, sweating blood, the world’s sins and crucifixion-horror pressed heavily upon him [ … ]
