Greater Than the Greatest

Have you ever felt discouraged because you are not counted among the great? It may seem that your life is not as good or as fortunate as other people’s. There is always someone more impressive, always someone greater.

That is what happened to John the Baptist. Even though he was known as a prophet, he was arrested and his followers began to doubt. Doubt him, doubt his message. Doubt the Messiah.

They came to Jesus, and this was the answer they received:

Luke 7:18-35

After John’s messengers had left, Jesus began speaking to the crowd about John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? Or what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? Those who wear splendid clothing and live in luxury are in kings’ palaces.

So what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, and I tell you, even more than a prophet. For this is the one about whom it is written: Behold, I send My messenger ahead of You, he will prepare Your way before You.

I tell you: Among those born of women there is no one greater than John, yet the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he." – Luke 7:24-28

The Greatest Prophet

After the messengers of John the Baptist received Jesus’ answer and left, Jesus explained to the crowd that John the Baptist was an extraordinary man who was willing to live for God. He described John as someone stable and not easily swayed, even though in reality John had just doubted Jesus. He stumbled.

Stumbling or falling at times is normal. Jesus understands, and He knows that all of us have fallen. It does not show that we are weak or useless. It only shows that we are ordinary human beings. Even as we strive to live according to God’s Word, we may sometimes fall and go through seasons of spiritual weakness. There is no need to despair, because God sees and values every effort we make.

Jesus also praised John for setting aside material comfort to do God’s work. John was also described as more than just a prophet. Jesus quoted Malachi 3:1, which foretold the coming of John the Baptist, when no prophet had ever been foretold to come. On top of that, other prophets could only say, “The Messiah will come.”, but John could say, “The Messiah is here.”

Then came the praise above all praises for John –, “Among those born of women there is no one greater than John.” – Luke 7:28

Who is born of woman? Everyone! It is true that John the Baptist was greater than Noah, the builder of the ark, Moses, the giver of the law, David the king, Elijah the prophet, and all the other prophets. And do you know what is even more amazing? Do you know who is greater than John the Baptist?

Who Is the Greatest?

That person is you. We, the disciples of Jesus, members of the kingdom of God. We are greater than John the Baptist. Yes, Jesus said that, “Yet the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” You are greater than all the heroes in the Old Testament whom you love and admire.

“But I am worthless!” That is true.

“And I am a sinner and weak.” That is also true.

We do not deserve to be considered equal. Much less to be called greater than the extraordinary people used by God, whose stories are written in the Bible. But Jesus said so. And He was not joking when He said it. He meant what He said.

All the heroes of the Old Testament and John the Baptist lived and died before Jesus’ work was finished or fulfilled through His death and resurrection. They were part of the old covenant, while we are part of the new covenant. We are the privileged people born after Jesus completed His mission of redemption for humanity.

The salvation we receive now is like receiving a gift. So we should no longer obey God merely out of obligation, but that obedience should be born out of gratitude to God. We have learned of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross and experienced the overflowing love of God. The bitterness of our sin has been removed, and we have tasted the sweetness of God’s mercy. We no longer live in fear, but in faith and confidence that God’s love has covered all our weaknesses. We stand before God without blemish and beautiful because of Jesus.

Let us be grateful for what we have. None of us deserves this, yet we have been blessed with a love that is beyond our understanding and our way of thinking. We only need to respond with humility and joy, that Jesus sees us greater than the greatest.  - Adapted from "Greater Than The Greatest" on the website www.jesus365.church. -