What Jesus Did! 'More than a Prophet' — Matthew 11:9

Wednesday, May 19, 2021

[Talking to the crowds about John the Baptist, Jesus continued:] "Were you looking for a prophet? Yes, and he is more than a prophet."
— Matthew 11:9 NLT

Key Thought

As Amos had prophesied, there was a famine in the land of God's people. It was a horrible famine. It was a long famine! It was a famine of hearing the word of the Lord. God's voice was not heard through his prophets. The passionate fire that once had spoken to Israel was a silent dying ember. God's chosen people suffered; they believed the Almighty heard them, but he refused to act decisively on their behalf and refused to speak directly to them. However, when John began to preach, the voice of God was heard again. Many somehow knew it. Many of them somehow recognized it was God's word through a man's voice. The famine was over. The people poured out into the desert lands to see him and hear God's truth. They were hungry, and only God's word could feed that empty place in their souls. But John was more than a prophet. His coming had been prophesied. He was a servant to others and spoke boldly to the people about God's truth. He especially served the Christ, preparing the hearts of the people for the Messiah's ministry. John's voice was the signal that the prophets' words from years earlier were being fulfilled — at that very moment.

Today's Prayer

Almighty God, thank you for fulfilling your promises. Thank you for choosing ordinary people to do extraordinary things. Thanks for using special servants to re-awaken hope and speak your word through their own voices. Give me the fervor, the passion, and the courage to share your Good News message today and each day of my life. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Amos 8:11-12
  • Malachi 3:1; 4:5-6
  • Matthew 23:11-12

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Illustration

Illustration of Matthew 11:9 NLT — [Talking to the crowds about John the Baptist, Jesus continued:] "Were you looking for a prophet? Yes, and he is more than a prophet."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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