Greatest and Least (Luke 7:28)

I say to you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he." (Luke 7:28 NASB)

After explaining to the crowd that John was the forerunner of Christ, foretold by the prophets, and that he was appointed by God to prepare the way for the Messiah, Jesus said an odd thing. There is no one greater than John but, the least in the kingdom of God is greater than John. John is greatest and least all at the same time? 

Matthew Henry wrote that John was the greatest of all the prophets. Why? He was the greatest prophet because he was chosen by God to usher in the Messiah. Like the herald that precedes and announces the king, so John announced our King. John served as an announcement of what was to come by his words and by his lifestyle. Rough clothes and a wilderness home contributed to the understanding that the coming King would not be found in a palace. 

In God's kingdom, only Jesus gets honor. Greatest and least are of no consequence in comparison to our Lord Jesus. Even if we are as anointed by John, as effective as John, as stalwart and faithful as John, we are no better than the most humble, quiet servant of God. 

There is another quality of John's that we would do well to emulate. This greatest of prophets never demonstrated pride in himself. He always pointed to Jesus. He constantly put Christ in the forefront and himself in the background. He made himself the least and became the greatest. 

Oh, if we would only do the same! If we would demonstrate the truth of Christ in every aspect of our life, as John did, how much more effective would we be? How clearly could we present Jesus to those we love the most?  Is there any area in which you are giving an inconsistent message about Jesus?  

Pray today that every area of our lives would quietly but effectively announce the One we serve, and that those we love the most would be drawn to the Jesus they see in us. 

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Link to last night's post is here: http://leannahollis.blogspot.com/2014/05/miracle-in-yard.html