Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. (Matthew:11:11)
Throughout the Bible, we see GOD giving testimonies about certain men who formed a close relationship with Him. David was called as 'a man after GOD's own heart', Abraham was called as 'a friend of GOD' and so forth. Here we see Jesus referring to John as the greatest person to be ever born of women. That is one stunning testimony John received from the Son of GOD himself. The good news is you and I can emulate John by remaining least in the kingdom of heaven.
What was so special about John's life that he was referred as the greatest of all? Everyone who knew or heard about the events surrounding John's birth, knew that he was a special child, but that didn't qualify him to be a great prophet. He went through the rigorous process that every prophet had to go through. Having a prophecy over our life is one thing but living up to it by co-laboring with GOD and making it come to pass is another thing. But John certainly lived up to every word that was spoken about him by the prophets. That he will be filled with the same Spirit that Elijah had and preach repentance thereby paving a way for Jesus to enter and start His ministry. That was John's calling, to be precise.
By the time Jesus appeared on the scene to be baptized by John, he had many disciples and followers. Once John showed them that he ain't the Messiah and Jesus is the One, the numbers started to dwindle. John's disciples approached him and made their concerns known. That Jesus' ministry is gaining momentum whereas John's seems to be reaching its end. And what kind of response did that invoke from John? "He must become greater, I must become less". (John:3:30). If only our leaders in churches had such clear knowledge and understanding on each of their calling, there will be harmony and unity among all denominations which is rarely seen nowadays. John had no jealousy, pride, ego or whatsoever. This is in stark contrast to Saul who was filled with jealousy when people started following David at his expense. John just wanted to be the John that GOD had called him to be. In GOD's kingdom, being least is being yourself and doing the will of GOD. John showed it and Jesus is urging us to replicate it.
Blessings!
Throughout the Bible, we see GOD giving testimonies about certain men who formed a close relationship with Him. David was called as 'a man after GOD's own heart', Abraham was called as 'a friend of GOD' and so forth. Here we see Jesus referring to John as the greatest person to be ever born of women. That is one stunning testimony John received from the Son of GOD himself. The good news is you and I can emulate John by remaining least in the kingdom of heaven.
What was so special about John's life that he was referred as the greatest of all? Everyone who knew or heard about the events surrounding John's birth, knew that he was a special child, but that didn't qualify him to be a great prophet. He went through the rigorous process that every prophet had to go through. Having a prophecy over our life is one thing but living up to it by co-laboring with GOD and making it come to pass is another thing. But John certainly lived up to every word that was spoken about him by the prophets. That he will be filled with the same Spirit that Elijah had and preach repentance thereby paving a way for Jesus to enter and start His ministry. That was John's calling, to be precise.
By the time Jesus appeared on the scene to be baptized by John, he had many disciples and followers. Once John showed them that he ain't the Messiah and Jesus is the One, the numbers started to dwindle. John's disciples approached him and made their concerns known. That Jesus' ministry is gaining momentum whereas John's seems to be reaching its end. And what kind of response did that invoke from John? "He must become greater, I must become less". (John:3:30). If only our leaders in churches had such clear knowledge and understanding on each of their calling, there will be harmony and unity among all denominations which is rarely seen nowadays. John had no jealousy, pride, ego or whatsoever. This is in stark contrast to Saul who was filled with jealousy when people started following David at his expense. John just wanted to be the John that GOD had called him to be. In GOD's kingdom, being least is being yourself and doing the will of GOD. John showed it and Jesus is urging us to replicate it.
Blessings!
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