Jesus is Greater!

TEXT:

‘I tell you that Someone greater than the house of God is here’ (Matthew 12:6 NLV)

THOUGHT:

When using the questionnaire in personal evangelism, one question I ask is, “What do you believe about Jesus?” Suggested responses include, “That He did not exist; was just an ordinary man; a prophet or messenger from God; or the Son of God?” It is a tragedy when people reduce the One who is the Son of God to a mere human and on parity with other men, particularly the founders of other faiths. Although Jesus was perfectly human, He was at the same time divine, God in a human body. He is greater and fully demands our respect and love.

• Greater by comparison

Jesus was asked two similar questions. “Are you greater than our father Jacob?”¹ and “Are you greater than our father Abraham?”² Jacob had dug a well that was still providing water thousands of years later, whereas Abraham had founded the nation of Israel. Jesus replied that He was greater than Jacob because He could supply living water that satisfies the thirst people have for God, as the Psalmist wrote, ‘My soul thirsts for God, for the Living God’ (Psalm 42:2).

Equally, Jesus is greater than Abraham because He not only pre-existed him, but He has birthed a holy nation³ made up of Jews and Gentiles from all over the world.

Jesus also stated that He had a greater ministry than Jonah⁴, a greater wisdom than Solomon⁵ and a greater witness than John the Baptist.⁶

The Bible says, ‘To whom then will you liken God?’ (Isaiah 40:18). If you are looking for someone to compare with Jesus, you will search in vain. Jesus is greater in every way but He still experienced rejection. Why? Because people loved darkness and He is the Light of the world.

• Greater by demonstration – ‘Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends’ (John 15:13).

The Apostle Paul made an even more amazing statement, ‘For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us’ (Romans 5:7-8).

Carers nursing Coronavirus sufferers have lost their lives caring for the natural body. Jesus gave His life caring for the spiritual body. Once a person has died, there is nothing more carers can do for them, but Jesus takes care of believers after death and gives them eternal life. ‘Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love’ (1 Corinthians 13:13 NLT).

We have now entered in to the Easter Period. Palm Sunday celebrated Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, cheered on by the masses. Just five days later He was crucified. His believers thought they had lost their hero, while the religious leaders felt relieved the challenge to their authority was no more. Yet next Sunday we remember Jesus’ resurrection and the new life believers have through Him. All freely given to us who are undeserving, because of God’s love!

• Greater by possession

Many people were living under the control of demonic powers that felt secure while inflicting misery on that life. Jesus taught, ‘For when a strong man is fully armed and guards his palace, his possessions are safe—until someone even stronger attacks and overpowers him, strips him of his weapons, and carries off his belongings’ (Luke 11:21-22 NLT). Jesus cast out demons and His indwelling presence provides a permanent protection against the demon trying to regain control of that person. For the believer it is now, ‘Christ in you the hope of glory’ (Colossians 1:27).

The Bible teaches that when we submit to God, we can resist the devil and he must flee.⁷ The newest and least Christian is more than a match for Satan when Christ is in them.

‘You are of God and you belong to Him and have [already] overcome them [the agents of the antichrist]; because He who is in you is greater than he (Satan) who is in the world [of sinful mankind]’ (I John 4:4 AMP).

Thank God the only Spirit influencing our lives from within is the Holy Spirit, God’s good gift to us!

Endnotes

¹ John 4:12

² John 8:53

³ 1 Peter 2:9

⁴ Matthew 12:41

⁵ Matthew 12:42

⁶ John 5:36

⁷ James 4:7