24 After John’s messengers left, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? 25 If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear expensive clothes and indulge in luxury are in palaces. 26 But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 27 This is the one about whom it is written: “‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’ 28 I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” 29 (All the people, even the tax collectors, when they heard Jesus’ words, acknowledged that God’s way was right, because they had been baptized by John. 30 But the Pharisees and the experts in the law rejected God’s purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John.) ~ Luke 7:24-30
In today's text we learn that almost everyone in Israel believed that John the Baptist was a prophet sent from God. When a Gentile wanted to embrace Judaism, there was a ceremonial baptism that they went through in order to identify with Judaism. But John was baptizing Jews, which was tantamount to them confessing, "I am no better than a pagan. I am no better than a Gentile," which was very hard for the Jews to admit.
In v.28 we read, “I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he." John the Baptist, according to the Lord Jesus, was the greatest man who ever lived. And, the greatest man that ever lived had none of the normal criteria for which the world would acknowledge him as being from God. In today's world, most would say John was unconventional, politically incorrect, insensitive, irritating, and he ought to be shut up. That's exactly what Herod said, who represented the world.
The greatest man to ever live ended up in prison and beheaded. He had no wealth, came from a very humble family of a priest in the Judean hill country. He had absolutely no social prominence, no worldly status, no education, no success, no achievement by any measure of the world. He held no position, built no organization, headed no institution. He wrote no books, left no sermons except a few excerpts from his preaching, possessed no social position, owned nothing, had no particular charm. In fact, John was very uncharming.
Today, we learn why John the Baptist was great. As we considered yesterday, John had some doubts and he sought to get them resolved. That's a part of his greatness. It takes humility to entertain one's doubts. Pride stifles greatness, know-it-alls are never great. It's the humble people who know what they don't know and seek to learn it that become great, if in fact they do.
John preached a hard message of repentance. He spoke of hell, fire, judgment and damnation. John not only confronted the Jewish leaders and called them snakes and said if you're going to be true repenters then bring forth fruit that is fit for repentance. John went eyeball to eyeball with Herod Antipas, condemned him for seducing his brother's wife and then taking her as his own wife.
John was a man of conviction, he knew what he believed. The people went out to hear John because this man was a man who was strong, was bold, and courageous. He certainly didn't try to gain favor with those who were in the royal palace. He didn't seek an indulgent life of ease and luxury. He wore clothes made out of Camel's hair. His diet was locusts and wild honey. He didn't have a life of ease, he didn't own anything, he lived out in the wilderness, the vault above his head, stars, was his ceiling. This is a man of self-denial.
John's greatness was within his calling. He had the amazing privilege of being the forerunner to the Messiah. God defined John. This is when we are at our best, when God defines us. This is where we discover real life, real meaning, real significance.
In v.28 we read, "I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he." The Lord Jesus says, "The least person in the kingdom of God is greater than the greatest man who ever lived." He described the greatest as the one who gets the fact that he is the least. Humility is the greatest quality of the believer who understands the Lord Jesus measured up on his behalf, and when God looks at us He sees us through the lens of His Son, the Lord Jesus.
Now, those whom the Lord Jesus calls great, access God's greatness through our admission that we do not and can not measure up. When the Lord Jesus fulfilled all of the Old Testament, He brought it to its intended purpose in our lives. This is GREATNESS! He fulfilled the Law and the prophecies of the Old Testament, and having received His performance on our behalf, we are positionally perfect in Christ. That is GREATNESS!
