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more than META

Matthew 11:9&10
"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."

After representatives from John the Baptizer questioned Jesus about being the Messiah, Jesus turns to His audience to teach them about His cousin the GREATEST prophet. Jesus pointed out that John's message was NOT swayed by popular feeling? And, Jesus noted the black and white contrast between the Baptizer and the religious leaders of the day. The Sadducees and Pharisees wore fine linen in a decorative way and their character was flawed. John was coarsely dressed, hardy in his character, and his virtue is firm. 

In today's verses Jesus asks the people; "But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and MORE THAN a prophet." Don't underestimate this turn of phrase by Jesus. Jesus is elevating above the MOST distinguished of the prophets. Isaiah is the most distinguished for his writings that clearly foretold the coming of Christ. And, John is greater! He lived in the time of the Messiah. He announced Jesus's coming, introducing Him to the nation of Israel.

"For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send My messenger before Thy face, which shall prepare Thy way before Thee." These words are a free translation from the Hebrew from version of Malachi 3:1. In Matthew’s paraphrase it is God the Father who speaks to the Son. This verse is the Messiah claiming Messianic prophecy from the Old Testament by His cousin and for Himself. If "meta" is showing awareness of reference to oneself or to the activity that is taking place, this was META way before META was cool.

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