DCLM Daily Manna 21 March 2022 Devotional By Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Rare Tribute
TOPIC: Rare Tribute
TEXT: Matthew 11:1-15 (KJV)
1 And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities.
2 Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples,
3 And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?
4 Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see:
5 The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.
6 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.
7 And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind?
8 But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses.
9 But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet.
10 For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.
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.
KEY VERSE: “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.” – (Matthew 11:11)
MESSAGE:
Some exceptional saints in the Bible have received touching accolades from God. He commended Abraham for teaching his children the way of the Lord. He spoke of the meekness of Moses as he led the Israelites to the Promised Land. Job, the man who resisted the temptation to blaspheme or curse God equally got divine applause. The same was the case for the Rechabites for obeying their father.
We also find our Lord Jesus Christ following the footsteps of the Father. As the disciples of John the Baptist departed after a fact-finding mission to Jesus, He paid glowing tribute to His forerunner.
God is in a better position than any other person to give a verdict on man’s activities. As the Omniscient, He has penetrating eyes and discerning parameters to know, not only what we do, but also to expose our motives. He has faultless means to see through our deeds, if they are for selfish or selfless reasons. He does not withhold His appreciation when we please Him. Neither does He spare the rod to spoil us when we break His heart with sinful choices.
Our aspiration as creatures of God should be to please and praise. The first step to doing these is to have the new birth experience and become transformed beings. No one can jump that threshold and expect to do His will. It is after that milestone that we then hunger and thirst for holiness and immersion in the power of the Holy Ghost for effective Spirit-guided service. That is when we shall be able to get His rare compliment.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
God’s tribute is for rare people.
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Jeremiah 49-50
DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.