Matthew 11:12-15
There is a book out right now titled "Buckeye Rebirth". It’s "the story of how Coach Urban Meyer’s Buckeyes went 12-0 last year and set the stage for a new era of OSU dominance". Although I haven’t read the book, it comes across like Coach Meyer is the savior of Buckeye football.
At the time when John the Baptist and Jesus were walking the earth, there was an expectation of a savior. Most people thought that the savior would lead a political overthrow, ultimately setting up a new kingdom on earth. But Jesus came to invite people into the Kingdom of Heaven.
How do people try to get into the Kingdom of Heaven? For many it is following the rules or doing good works. Like the Pharisees, for some it might mean looking good – wearing nice clothes on Sunday, giving to the church, or serving on the board.
It has been said that there is a "God-shaped vacuum" in our lives that only God can fill. Sometimes though we try to fill that vacuum with other things like relationships or career or money or status. Sometimes we try to fill that void by deadening the pain with addictive behaviors. All the time we are desperately seeking a savior and the Kingdom of Heaven.
The Message paraphrases our passage today like this:
"For a long time now people have tried to force themselves into God’s kingdom. But if you read the books of the Prophets and God’s Law closely, you will see them culminate in John, teaming up with him in preparing the way for the Messiah of the kingdom".
How are you trying to reach the Kingdom of Heaven? What do you do to fill the "God-shaped vacuum" in your life? Do you have a drug of choice to deaden the pain with an addiction? Or just maybe you have come to the same conclusion that John the Baptist did. That Jesus is the Savior and only he can bring you into the Kingdom of Heaven.
"Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear!"
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew%2011%3A12-15&version=NIV;MSG
http://www.biblegateway.com/audio/mclean/niv/Matt.11.12-Matt.11.15
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