“For I say unto you, among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” Luke 7:28
Dear Ones:
What is the measure of true greatness? What IS greatness? If we look at the appearance, education, social position, even the diet of John the Baptist, we would say, this man is definitely NOT great. He is, by virtue of the world’s standards, one who is bizarre, aloof, fiercely original and misunderstood. He is a non-conformist in every sense of the word. Like the Lord Jesus, that non-conformity to the “norms” of societal and religious greatness would be one of the causes of his death. The concept of greatness from a natural, and human standpoint, as opposed to that of God, is as distant as the east is from the west, as the heavens are high above the earth, in meaning and application. What then is greatness in the eyes of God?
A stable and manger in Bethlehem was a place of greatness. An announcement of the birth of Christ to shepherds in a field was a great event. Thirty years spent in obscurity, being an obedient son, and learning the trade of a carpenter, was greatness. Forty days in the wilderness, being tempted by Satan, was greatness. The announcement by Jesus that “…the Spirit of the Lord is upon Me to preach the gospel to the poor…,” and that, “…this day IS this scripture fulfilled in your ears,” was greatness. (Luke 4:18,21) Greatness was going about doing good, healing the sick, and preaching the gospel. Greatness was giving the truth of God, and of things eternal, to those who were lost, wandering, and in darkness. Greatness was training twelve ordinary men to follow Him, walk in His steps, and live by the power of God. Greatness was humbling Himself to the greatest possible extent, though He be God, to allow Himself to be nailed to a cross, which was a curse. Greatness was becoming sin for us, that which was so very repulsive to his nature and soul, that we should become the righteousness of God in Him. Greatness was demonstrating the ultimate in love, self-denial, and devotion to His Father, in being willing to die for our sins, and suffering the “abandonment” by the Father of the Son…for a while. Greatness was rising from the dead in order to receive of the Father the gift of the Holy Spirit to be poured out on all flesh, so that men, being baptized into Him, by the Holy Spirit, should know the reality of His life in the heart. Greatness is giving to mankind a promise of Life eternal, the absolute forgiveness of their sins, and the gift of perfect righteousness, by which they could KNOW GOD, and Jesus Christ who He sent. This is greatness, that He should draw out our hearts to Him, bring us to repentance and faith in Christ alone, giving us power to be born again, not only to a new and living hope, but becoming one with Himself, where we cannot die. Greatness lies not in that which is passing away, but in the intrinsic goodness of God revealed in the Person and work of Christ today, a goodness that has eternal ramifications, eclipsing all else.
John the Baptist was great because of the Spirit of God within him, from before birth, till the day of his death. Christ was great by virtue of His righteousness, His divinity, by His love and perfect goodness. In essence He was great because of the perfect love that the Father had towards Him, and He towards the Father. That which is great in this life, is that which has its beginning and ending in God.
“All in Christ, by the Holy Spirit, for the glory of God, all else is nothing.”
Dear Father, give us grace to live in Thy greatness, however lowly our circumstances or status in life may be. Lord Jesus, You are our greatness, and we would fall down and praise Thee for every virtue of Thy life revealed in and through us, in response to faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad