Matthew 11:11 "I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. "
So Jesus says that the the least believer is greater than the infamous ascetic, John The Baptist. Remember Juhn never never drank, fornicated, knew luxury or comfort..but simply preached the gospel, and lived in the wilderness.
Think of it...this great ascetic..wouldn't you think that John the Baptist would be right down God's alley? A non partying, non marrying, non stop God guy. He was hard to be around, always yelling at you to repent etc. Yet again, Jesus says the least Christian believer is greater than John. The most decadent lazy "believer" is greater than John the Baptist!
Why? Because the most decadent lazy believer has nothing to offer God accept faith in Gods gracefull acceptance in Christ.
WHAT COUNTS IN THE KINGDOM? FAITH..THATS IT. Whatever else you bring to the table is tainted and not usefull. As Robert Farrar Capon says.."HE Jesus) CAME TO RAISE THE DEAD, NOT IMPROVE THE IMPROVABLE."
God wants his Son and the relationship he shares with his Son and thats it. We are given, as a gift, entryway into that relationship..yes given that relationship. We don't take it by force: Matthew 11:12 "From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it" However Jesus is saying that's not the way (force) we attain sonship.
We are given that relationship by simple faith..and what should be simple (accepting a gift) is nearly impossible for us humans (the gate is narrow). It's difficult because this wisdom from above is completely foreign to our dog eat dog, take what you want by violence, self discipline, reward merit mentality.
Nothing in the world works this way(the faith way). We are promoted at work by politics or achievment. We are rewarded by society for our looks and or our brains. But in the Kingdom we are given a gift when we have nothing but nothing to offer.."while we were yet sinners"....He died for us. "While we were dead in our trespasses" He raised us..says Paul in Ephesians.
So Jesus ushers in a new kingdom in a very unlikely way. First of all he is not a heroic dynamo..but a simple man from a small town in a small country. He doesn't do much..a few miracles.and some profound teaching. His followers are few and he is killed as a common criminal by the corrupt judicial system (happens in 3rd world countries all the time). He rises from the dead (now that is remarkable), but there is no real proof..no film and no pictures...just some eyewitness accounts which many discredit. I believe those accounts of course..but I can't see feel or taste that history....
Then the kingdom he fosters in is strange and invisible. His spokesman tell us that the solutions to all our sin, death and family, health and relationship problems are solved in this new resurrected life we have right now! Huh?..Huh? Right now?.
Well I have seen some changes in my life as a Christian. Most christians notice changes in their life. But those who live with me and the millions of other Christians would say we are not all that different. We still sulk, get jealous, cheat on our spouses, our taxes..some more and some less. We have good days and bad days..some are mother Theresas, some are scoundrels and most of us Christians are somewhere in between.
We all die (Now Jesus said He who believes in Him would never see death). So what is this great promise of new life and what does it mean? Jesus and Paul state we are new, healed, resurrected, justified, reconciled, loved and forgiven right this very minute. And all this is ours without us lifting a finger.
Some of us are at the bar..head in our plate, some are in church prayin, some of us are fighting with our spouses or friends..and each and every one of is resurrected and loved right now (free for nothin, by His doing) and as Paul says 'perfected forever"
What are we to say to such a Thing..should we get our shit together..(HA!)? How about for once we just enter His rest gratefully. We stop looking for improvment in ourselves and others and accept his acceptance.
I will say this (if you insist on self improvment to be worthy of such a gift): just like I love tennis and spend an inordinate amount of time on it; this strange love and message..which fully accepts me and the world as we really are, becomes pretty interesting and compelling as you accept it..He really is attractive and beyond compare. There is nothing like our Creator who thought of you before you were you. You might just take a shine to Him.
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