This chapter consists of two powerful testimonies combined and put forward for the people of those times to respond. Jesus adds here how they responded. By seeing the messenger sent by God to pave the way for the coming of His Son, they said, he has demon. When Jesus Himself came, they said he was a glutton and a friend of sinners. They couldn’t comprehend what was revealed by heaven to them. Seeing, they did not recognize. Hearing, they did not respond. They became blind and deaf to the truth displayed to them plainly!

How is your response to the things displayed before you? In the days we live clearly indicates, how the world is fast getting ready for the coming of the Lord. Every prophecy given in the Bible regarding Jesus' coming is fulfilled daily. They are powerful testimonies God is giving to this generation. But how is the world responding? They discard all these forewarnings and go about their business. If you read Matthew 24: 3-14 and look, read and listen to news around, you will see the exact picture of what Jesus said, enacted here before us. Jesus said you will hear about wars and rumors of wars, nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. Many false prophets will rise up. All these are exactly happening as it is written. But look within you: are you ready for His coming? God has sent His servants to preach, teach and admonish His people to be ready. Are you ready?

Or, like many of Jesus' times, are you ignorant of what is happening right before your eyes? While Jesus and John came as it was written in God's word, the people of their times did not recognize them or their ministry. Both were rejected and killed. Isaiah foretold about the ministry of Jesus in chapter 61:1-2. The same Isaiah told about John, “a voice crying in the wilderness,” (Isaiah 52:10). But even the scribes and Jewish teachers of those times could not recognize these two powerful testimonies given by heaven to them.

While looking at them we need to get the practical wisdom to be sensible enough to watch! Jews at those times by and large missed it. How about us? When we look around, many are deceived by the tactics of the devil. Many lead a life that cares only about this world and its pleasures. None really seems to take heed or is getting ready for His coming.

Today through this devotion God is trying to get your attention—Get ready for His coming! Prepare yourself:  Surrender your life, examine your life in the light of the word of God and pray that He cleanses you; then trust Him to make you worthy to stand before Him. If you are not ready, the consequences are serious. As we see in the same chapter of Matthew 11, Jesus rebuked those towns and villages where His power was displayed and yet they did not recognize it. 

So be wise and be ready for His coming. May God bless you today to have a simple heart to hear— If ever you were willing to listen, listen now! (Matt.11:15 TLB)

Forewarning:

'For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.' (1Thess.5:2)