Matthew 11:11-15

“Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force. For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John came; and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. Let anyone with ears listen!” (Matthew 11:11-15)

Question:

This scripture reveals a very important truth to me. I have never found another person to discuss it with. I have shown it to people but never received any feedback from them. Of course, I didn't push for any, or try to impress my views onto them. This is a kind of a test for me. Not you. Thank you very much for your efforts and your time.

Comment:

This passage is certainly a vivid call to a new dimension of spiritual understanding. Jesus is saying that John represents the highest level of religious belief—a belief centered in obedience to pre-existing laws. Jesus offers a ‘kingdom of heaven’ consciousness of a personal, creative Oneness with the divine. It’s not the next step on an existing path, but the birth of a new dimension of spiritual possibility. The Jewish tradition was that the prophet Elijah would return to foreshadow the coming of the Messiah. Jesus is here saying that for those who believe that tradition, John could be seen as Elijah and, by implication, his own example of Christ expression as the Messiah. But Jesus is not placing himself in the timeline of Jewish tradition; he is announcing something new, rooted not in the past but in the infinite power of the present moment and the promise of the kingdom of heaven, which we are here to create.