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. [Matthew 11:11 ESV]
As the disciples of John the Baptist leave Jesus remembers and honors John.
He calls him more than a prophet and he identifies John a the forerunner of the Messiah.
In doing this Jesus identifies himself as that very Messiah.
When I think of John I remember that he said of Christ:
"I must decrease and he must increase"John was a humble prophet and as such he prophetically pointed to Jesus.
He deflected attention away from himself and onto the Messiah.
Jesus then says something crazy.
He says that one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than a great prophet.
To me this speaks to the miracle of the new birth.
Spiritually born people have new hearts with God's laws emblazoned on them.
It reminds me that each reborn person is more than a prophet who proclaims God's message.
It speaks to me about how such people are God's living message.
John was the last prophet of the old covenant.
We who are born again are embodied by the Spirit of the new covenant.
Our lives are greater as they testify to the reality of heaven's kingdom.
Thank you Father that, by your grace, I have your laws written on my heart.
... this devotion is part of the Red Letters series. Click here to read more.
Bob, that is really an interesting thought on that passage. Never thougth of it quite the same way. I love how you bring new insights to familiar scriptures.
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