GREATER THAN

Throughout the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus refers to something that is "greater than" the Sabbath, the Temple, Jonah, and Solomon.

What was it?

When the Pharisees asked why Jesus and His disciples broke the Sabbath, Jesus replied:

"I tell you that something greater than the temple is here." - MATT. 12:6

And then he goes on to say that he is "Lord of the Sabbath", which means that Jesus is greater than the Sabbath, as well.

Later, when the Pharisees ask him for a sign, Jesus says:

"The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now something greater than Jonah is here."- MATT. 12:41

Then, Jesus tells them this:

"The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, and now something greater than Solomon is here. " - MATT. 12:42

What is greater than Solomon, or the Temple, or Jonah, or the Sabbath? It's Jesus, the promised Messiah.

Moses prophesied that the Lord would send a prophet after he was gone. He further warned that those who did not listen would be cut off from the people of Israel. Both Stephen, and Peter reminded everyone of this in their sermons recorded in the book of Acts.

When Jesus is transfigured on the mountain, he appears with Moses - who represents the Law of the Old Covenant - and with Elijah - who represents the Prophets. Peter mistakenly wants to honor all three of them equally, and then the Father removes Moses and Elijah [the Law and the Prophets] and says:

"This is my Son, whom I love; with Him I am well-pleased. Listen to Him!"

And when the disciples look up, only Jesus remains.

Jesus is greater than Moses. 

The author of Hebrews even goes so far as to say:

"Jesus has been found worthy of greater honor than Moses" [Heb. 3:3]

He is greater than the Old Covenant Law. Jesus is greater than the Prophets. Jesus is greater than David, and Solomon, and the Temple, and Jonah, and everyone else.

There is nothing, and no one, greater than Jesus. Listen to Him. Obey Him. Follow Him.

"He must increase, but I must decrease. He who comes from above is above all. He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks in an earthly way. He who comes from heaven is above all." - JOHN 3:30-31

-kg