OUR DAILY BREAD : SAYING GOODBYE

[cimi]

January 29
Tuesday



SAYING
GOODBYE

READ:
Matthew 11:7-19
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There has not risen one
greater than John the
Baptist; but he who is
least in the kingdom of
heaven is greater than
he. __Matthew 11:11
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If you've ever been asked to say a few words at a memorial service, you know how difficult, yet important, it can be. Cyrus M. Copeland, compiler of two books of tributes to famous people, said: "A great eulogy is both art and architecture__a bridge between the living and the dead, memory and eternity."

The Bible contains little that corresponds to our modern eulogy. Yet Jesus paid a great tribute to John the Baptist when he faced the looming threat of execution by Herod. From prison, John sent his disciples to confirm the identity of Jesus the Messiah (Matt. 11:2-6). Jesus talked with them, then told the listening crowd, "Among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he." (v.11).

Jesus' tribute captured the essence of the desert-dwelling-straight-preaching John, who was maligned and misunderstood as he prepared the way for the Son of God. John's greatness was more than personal; it was wrapped up in the kingdom of God. He wrote his own eulogy by his actions.

As we ponder what we might say about others at their passing, it's also good to ask, "What will people say about me when it's time to say goodbye?" __David McCasland
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Living for the Lord today
leaves a lasting legacy when we're gone.

***************Today's Bible Reading __ Matthew 11:7-19***********

7 As they departed, Jesus
began to say to the
multitudes concerning John:
"What did you go out to see?
a man clothed in soft
garments? Indeed, those who
wear soft clothing are in
Kings' houses. 9 But what did
you go out to see? A
prophet? Yes, I say to you,
and more than a prophet.

11 Assuredly, I say to you,
among those born of women
there has not risen one
greater than John the Baptist;
but he who is least in the
kingdom of heaven is greater
than he. 12 and from the
days of John the Baptist until
now the kingdom of heaven
suffers violence.... 13 For
all the prophets and the law
prophesied until John. 14 And
if you are willing to receive
it, he is Elijah who is to
come....

16 "But to what shall I liken
this generation? It is like
children sitting in the
marketplaces and calling to
their companions, 17 and
saying: 'We played the flute
for you, and you did not
dance; we mourned to you,
and you did not lament.'

18 For John came neither
eating nor drinking, and they
say, 'He has a demon.' 19 The
Son of Man came eating and
drinking, and they say,
'Look, a glutton and a
winebibber, a friend of tax
collectors and sinners!' But
wisdom is justified by her
children."

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

Six months before the birth of Christ, John the Baptist was born to
Elizabeth. She was a descendant of Aaron (Luke 1:5) and kin to Mary
(v.36), making John a blood relative of Jesus. Isaiah had foretold the
birth and ministry of John 700 years earlier (Isa. 40:3). __SKT