Skip to main content

soft raiment?

Matthew 11:7&8
"7 And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind?
8 But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses."

John the Baptist is the GREATEST prophet. 
From prison he sent two of his people to Jesus to ask Him if He was the Messiah? Jesus's answer was to reference prophecies! Tenderly and patiently our Lord and Savior's give John a beatitude; "And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in Me." Blessed is he who does not find a stumbling-block in the how Christ actually came to save the world. Don't second guess how GOD'S plan unfolds.

As this Advent season unfolds we all have the time to make room in our hearts for Jesus. We all can come to terms with how GOD interacts with us; by the Holy Ghost and through His Son. There are many reasons for a person to be "offended" by Jesus Christ. With the help of the Holy Ghost we can get past our stumbling-blocks and embrace believing in Him as the Savior of the world. 

As today's verses continue the representatives of John the Baptizer are leaving and Jesus returns to teaching; "And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind?" Jesus is calling to mind the memories His listeners have of going to the banks of the river Jordan to hear John preach. Jesus is using the imagery from that place and time, the bull rushes that grow along the river. Using symbolism Jesus asks them if they went to see someone who was swayed this way and that way by every windy gust of popular feeling?

Jesus continues "But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses." Jesus is drawing attention to the contrast between the Baptizer and the religious leaders of the day. The "soft raiment" mentioned here was fine linen, and was worn almost decoratively. It's NOT something a person living in the wilderness would wear. "Soft raiment" was an emblem of riches, splendor, and a feebleness of character. John is the opposite of this, he is coarsely dressed, hardy in his character, and his virtue is firm. John is highly qualified to be the harbinger of the Messiah.



Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

I will make you

Matthew 4:19&20 "19 And He saith unto them, Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men. 20 And they straightway left their nets, and followed Him." In our "Follow Me" series, we study Jesus calling His disciples in the Gospel of Matthew. By the Sea of Galilee, a thriving fishing hub, Jesus saw Simon and Andrew casting nets as humble fishermen. His disciples were ordinary workers, not wealthy or educated elites. Jesus approached them and said, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." Remarkably, they immediately left their jobs to follow Him. This brief exchange conveys a profound truth: Jesus says, "I will make you." Only God can transform us to accomplish His purpose. We should often pray, "Help me, God," seeking Jesus' guidance to follow His plan for our lives.
Post a Comment
Read more

Elisha’s example

1 Kings 19:19-21 "19 So he departed thence, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth: and Elijah passed by him, and cast his mantle upon him. 20 And he left the oxen, and ran after Elijah, and said, Let me, I pray thee, kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow thee. And he said unto him, Go back again: for what have I done to thee? 21 And he returned back from him, and took a yoke of oxen, and slew them, and boiled their flesh with the instruments of the oxen, and gave unto the people, and they did eat. Then he arose, and went after Elijah, and ministered unto him." In Luke 9:54, after James and John sought to call down fire on a Samaritan village that rejected Jesus, they referenced Elijah, saying, “even as Elias did?” Jesus then taught three lessons about rejection: 1- Discipleship demands sacrifice, embracing hardship and forgoing earthly security. 2- Following Jesus requires immediate, un...
Post a Comment
Read more

God’s patience

2 Peter 3:9 "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." God did not immediately punish King Solomon when he allowed his foreign wives to build altars for false gods. Despite multiple compromises, God remained patient. Over time, Solomon’s endorsement of idolatry defied God’s covenant, leading to divine judgment, including the loss of the kingdom for his son. Some mistake God’s patience for indifference or inaction, but He follows His plan in His timing. If our nation, culture, church, or we ourselves stray like Solomon, we can repent and return to God’s path. And, should do so sooner than later! Amen!
Post a Comment
Read more