The Greatness that God Honors

When John’s messengers had gone, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who are dressed in splendid clothing and live in luxury are in kings’ courts. What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is he of whom it is written,

“‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.’

I tell you, among those born of women none is greater than John. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he” (Luke 7:24-28).

Jesus followed up the interruption of His ministry by the messengers of John with a word of praise for His cousin. The life and character of the Baptist was a living illustration of the kind of people Jesus wanted His disciples to become. He knew that when He returned to His Father, they would face increasing temptation from the enemies of God as they carried on the disciple making and building ministry He was about to confer upon them. He knew the world would be amazed at the authority and power the Holy Spirit would pour out on them and that many of them would be distracted from the ministry of making disciples by the temptation to build great churches and by the lure of pride and fame. He also used this as an opportunity to give another glimpse of the kingdom where the definition of greatness would be redefined by God. Jesus held up the Baptist who was about to forfeit His life for the ministry as an example for disciples in all ages of the greatness that God honors.

God honors greatness that is separate from the world. John was not great according to the world’s standard, yet the Son of God considered him an excellent example of greatness. Believers who want to know and pursue God’s will are not supposed to think or live as the world does… “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2). We are supposed to be world-influencers and kingdom-builders… “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet” (Matthew 5:13). If we want to show the world the greatness of God, we cannot be consumed with the pursuit of the temporal and trivial greatness of the world. How might you strive for and reflect something of the greatness that God honors today?

God honors greatness that serves Him. John was great in the eyes of the Lord because he was sold out to fulfilling the call of God on his life. God sent him before His Son as the prophet of all prophets, in the spirit of Elijah… “For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John, and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come” (Matthew 11:13-14). Every true disciple is born again to answer the call to some unique work of God… “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10). True disciples achieve greatness in God’s eyes through humility and obedience to the call to serve the Lord and serve others… “Whoever would be great among you must be your servant” (Matthew 20:25-26). If we want to show the world the greatness of God, we must be consumed with the desire to fulfill His call to serve. How might you serve someone and reflect something of the greatness that God honors today?

God honors greatness that stimulates greatness in others. After lifting up the life of John as an example of greatness, Jesus challenged His disciples to imitate him by saying, “the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he”. True disciples have the potential to exceed even the greatness of John in God’s eyes… “And greater works than these will he do” (John 14:12). To show the world the greatness of God we don’t idolize the popular icons of the world, but we imitate heroes of the faith. How might you study and share the character of a saint to reflect the greatness that God honors today?

As we grow up into Christ imitating the humility and integrity of John the Baptist, we will reflect…

The Greatness that God Honors.