There Has Not Arisen Anyone Greater!

 "Truly I say to you, among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist!  Yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he" (Matthew 11:11)

Hey Gang, Is that not a tremendous recommendation?  But, notice who said it - Jesus, the Son of God who takes away the sins of the world!   Unlike so many people, John the Baptist knew his mission in life. He clearly understood that he had been set apart by God for a purpose.

Through God's direction John the Baptist challenged people to prepare for the coming of the Messiah by turning away from sin and being baptized as a symbol of repentance.  He was just a beetle-eating weirdo, according to world standards, who wore animal skins and lived in the desert.  But- when he spoke, he was like E. F. Hutton, the world listened!!

People could not resist the overpowering truth of his words; they flocked by the hundreds to hear him and be baptized.  And, even though he became somewhat of a celebrity, he never lost focus - that his one and only mission was to prepare the way for the coming of the Messiah.

So what was so uniquely different about this man?  I do not believe he had set out with the goal of being different from everyone else.  Although he was remarkably strange, he wasn't merely aiming at uniqueness. Rather, he targeted all of his efforts toward obedience.  Obviously, John hit the mark, as Jesus called him the greatest of men.

But notice, after Jesus had declared that "…among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist!",  He did not stop there. Jesus went on and made this profound statement: "Yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he".  Jesus also said to His disciples "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also, and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father" (John 14:12).

I confess I struggled with that verse for many years.  Really, Lord!  You mean this hillbilly kid that came from the wrong side of the tracks, who don't read so good, who seems to have a lock on doing the wrong things so many times can do greater things than You, the Lord of glory? And then one day, I read on and a light clicked in my head and heart,  "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you" (Vs. 26). 

When I came to realize that God had a specific purpose for my life I was freed to move forward with confidence, fully trusting in the One who called us as He called John the Baptist.  Can there be any greater joy or fulfillment in this life than to know God's pleasure and reward awaits us in heaven?   

Sooooo, buckaroos, we live in that time that Paul labeled "perilous (tough) times".  The writer of Hebrews wrote, “Everything that can be shaken is going to be shaken so that those things that cannot be shaken will rise to the surface.  (Heb. 12:26-28).  Jesus said to Peter," Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat…"  (Lu. 22:31)   Have you been shifted lately?  But, He gave us His assurance that He will never leave us or forsake us when He finished this comment to Peter, "But I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail" (v. 32).

Undoubtedly moments after his beheading John the Baptist must have heard his Master say, "Well done!".

Blessings,

Gramps