Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
In many ways, John the Baptist serves as an example to us of how to posture ourselves as ones who make the way for Christ in our generation. According to Jesus, John the Baptist was the greatest of all prophets. In Matthew 11, Jesus publicly shares the admirable qualities of John.
First, Jesus shares that John did not allow public opinion or human authority sway his devotion to God or his message of the Messiah. Second, Jesus tells of John’s integrity. A prophet of Old Testament times who dressed nicely as a part of a king’s court usually failed to represent the Lord as the king of the time provided for the needs of the prophet. John did not live a comfortable life provided by another; he did not flirt with this kind of conflict of interest.* When we look at John we see a man who attempted to humble himself as much as possible to lift Jesus up, even to the point of sending his own disciples to follow after Jesus.
These are all admirable traits, and ones that we would do well to follow. However, they are not what make John great. In fact, how was John considered great in the eyes of Jesus when we see John questioning Jesus as to His purpose and identity even after making a way for Him?
What made John great?
His message.
John was great, greater than all of the prophets of old, because he borne the message of Christ. This is how Jesus can count you and I as disciples of Christ as even greater than John: our message.
John spoke of the Messiah coming who takes away the sins of the world; we speak of the Messiah who has already come. This is good news; this is great news; it’s the best news!
Today, take a step.
Maybe today the one step God wants you to take is to stop attempting to earn greatness in the eyes of man or the eyes of God. Perhaps God is asking you to carry the message of Christ crucified to the world around you. Maybe today God wants you to make a way for Christ to work in greater ways in your heart. Perhaps Jesus is waiting for you to disregard the voices in our life that create a conflict of interest that prevents you from serving Christ wholly.
Whatever the step, ask God to direct it. Take a moment to take that step. Invite Him to speak. He will.
Life is a long road. Walk it with Jesus. Take a step today… just one is fine.
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*Leon, Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew. Pillar New Testament Commentary (Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1992), 271, and Keener, C. S., Matthew (Vol. 1, Mt 11:1-11) (InterVarsity Press, 1997).