Matthew 11: 9-19 (NCV)

"So why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, and I tell you, John is more than a prophet. This was written about him:
'I will send my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare the way for you.' — Malachi 3:1
"I tell you the truth, John the Baptist is greater than any other person ever born, but even the least important person in the kingdom of heaven is greater than John. Since the time John the Baptist came until now, the kingdom of heaven has been going forward in strength, and people have been trying to take it by force. All the prophets and the law of Moses told about what would happen until the time John came. And if you will believe what they said, you will believe that John is Elijah, whom they said would come. Let those with ears use them and listen!

"What can I say about the people of this time? What are they like? They are like children sitting in the marketplace, who call out to each other,
'We played music for you, but you did not dance;
we sang a sad song, but you did not cry.'
John came and did not eat or drink like other people. So people say, 'He has a demon.' The Son of Man came, eating and drinking, and people say, 'Look at him! He eats too much and drinks too much wine, and he is a friend of tax collectors and sinners.' But wisdom is proved to be right by what she does."


This passage spoke to me today when reading Matthew. Jesus is talking about John the Baptist...His reference to the verse in Malachi 3:1 "See, I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come," says the LORD Almighty." He calls John Elijah! "And if you will believe what they said, you will believe that John is Elijah, whom they said would come." (Matthew 11:14) The NIV version says it this way, "And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come."

Man, I have never seen this before! Jesus talks about..."Since the time John the Baptist came until now, the kingdom of heaven has been going forward in strength, and people have been trying to take it by force. All the prophets and the law of Moses told about what would happen until the time John came." They came and play music and they did not dance...they sang a sad song and they did not cry....they just didn't get it.

Do you? Go read this passage for your self. Read it through other translations and see what it says to you. I am amazed! God's word is so new and fresh each time I read.

Mama Barb