“What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is he of whom it is written, “‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.’” Matthew 11:9-10 ESV
In context, Jesus here is talking about John the Baptist.
Who did John prepare the way for?
“The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.’ I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel.”
John 1:29-31 ESV
Ok, so we know John the Baptist understands he came to prepare the way for Jesus.
Did Jesus confirm this?
“What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is he of whom it is written, “‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.’” Matthew 11:9-10 ESV
What scripture reference is Jesus pointing to?
This prophetic reference may point to Malachi or Isaiah. (see Malachi 3:1, Isaiah Isaiah 40:3, Isaiah 57:14)
Here’s a cross reference tool.
https://www.openbible.info/labs/cross-references/search?q=Matthew+11%3A10
In either case, one thing is clear. Jesus himself claimed that John the Baptist was prophesied as the one that would prepare the way for the Lord. Not just a man, but God. And it’s clear that John prepared the way for Jesus and nobody else prior to his beheading.
Therefore, who is Jesus himself claiming to be? The Lord!
One may say, well why didn’t he just simply say, “I am God”. I don’t know. But one thing I do know is he can share what he wants and hold back what he wants – he is God.
Jesus was once asked why he reveals things the way he does.
“Then the disciples came and said to him, “Why do you speak to them in parables?” And he answered them, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.” Matthew 13:10-11 ESV
Other Powerful Statements from Jesus:
“And Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me. And whoever sees me sees him who sent me.”
John 12:44-45 ESV
And…
“For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak. And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me.” John 12:49-50 ESV
Yes, Jesus is the Son of God, the Spirit of God took on human form and God the Father fully dwelled in Christ Jesus. (See Colossians 1:19).
Just open thinking…
If a scientist made a human shell of a body and you were able to transfer your spirit to live in that empty shell, that body would now have life. Who would that person be? It would be you! Yet still you and I are just human, not God, and for you and me that’s impossible.
God is one omnipresent Spirit (can be present in all places at all times) living simultaneously as God the Father, Jesus the Son and the Holy Spirit. He also once manifested as a burning bush, and other ways. God can manifest himself any way he wants, but regardless he remains one Spirit, one God. And this all powerful God also lives in believers! Does he live in you?
