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“Amen, I say to you, among those born of women there has been none
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 suffers violence, and the violent are
taking it by force.” Matthew 11:11–12
The two sentences in the passage above can be challenging to
comprehend, but the insights of Church Fathers and saints offer us
a deeper understanding.
In the first sentence, Jesus declares John the Baptist to be the
greatest of those born of women, highlighting John as the last and
greatest of the Old Testament prophets. However, John did not live
to see the fullness of Christ’s work—His death, resurrection, and
the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. This is why Jesus
adds, “yet the least in the Kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”
In other words, even the smallest person who receives sanctifying
grace through Christ’s redemptive work is greater in spiritual
privilege than the greatest person before the era of grace.
The second sentence may be even more puzzling. How can the Kingdom
of Heaven suffer violence, and who are the violent ones taking it
by force? The Greek words translated as “violence” and “violent”
can also be understood as “forcefully advancing” and those who
“advance with force and determination.” Jesus is teaching that
entering the Kingdom of God requires great determination, a
forceful rejection of sin, and a vigorous pursuit of
holiness.
Together, these sentences reveal Jesus’ message about the
incredible blessing of living in the time of grace. We are more
privileged than even John the Baptist because we live in the
fullness of the Christian dispensation. However, this privilege
comes with a responsibility: we must engage in a “violent” battle
against our fallen nature, the temptations of the world, and the
deceptions of the devil. Entering the Kingdom of God requires zeal,
determination, and an all-consuming passion for the things of
God.
It’s easy to fall into a mediocre practice of our Christian faith,
letting our disordered desires and emotions dictate our actions.
But Jesus calls us to something greater. Those who understand the
Christian life as a spiritual battle against sin will be prepared
to move beyond mediocrity into a fervent, committed embrace of
God’s grace, becoming fuller participants in the Kingdom of
Heaven.
Reflect today on how actively you are receiving and cooperating
with God’s grace. Are you willing to step out of your comfort zone,
repent of every sin, and passionately choose to follow Christ?
Though this path requires great sacrifice, the reward of the
Kingdom of Heaven is worth it a hundredfold.
My most glorious Lord, the gift of Your grace is all I need to
achieve the greatness to which You call me. Please pour forth that
grace in abundance, and help me to respond to Your invitation to
repent of my sin so that I may become a more active member of Your
glorious Kingdom of Heaven on Earth and ultimately in Heaven.
Jesus, I trust in You.
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