http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%209,%20Luke%207&version=ESV
Luke 7:28 "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."
This statement by Jesus really blows me away. That we are greater than John the Baptist.
Bob Deffingbaugh from Bible.org states:
"Because of John’s unique role as the last of the Old Testament prophets, the prophet whose mission it was to introduce Messiah, no one born of woman (to that point in time) was greater than he. And yet, as towering a personality as John was when viewed from the landscape of the Old Testament, even the least in the kingdom of heaven was greater than John."
Paul affirms this when he writes in Romans:
"16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him." (Romans 8:16-17)
The ESV Study Bible note on this states, "Those in the kingdom of heaven have the greater privilege because they have actually entered the kingdom (in its new covenant reality) and become partakers in the new covenant through the blood of Christ."
We are greater than John the Baptist and all of the Old Testament saints, because of Jesus. Because we have actually entered the kingdom of God. Take a deep pause and reflect on that.
Yes, there will be more to come. We will some day see Jesus face to face. We will one day get our resurrection bodies. But until then, there are certain aspects of the kingdom we are enjoying that the OT saints could not and did not experience.
We have the gift of the Holy Spirit, his indwelling presence that mediates Christ in our heart each day.
We have the gift of the completed canon of Scripture. We know what happened in the past, and we know we are to be ready for Christ's coming in the future.
We have the gift of the Body of Christ, the Church. Christ gave us the Body of Christ so that as believers we could do His work on earth and fellowship and build up one another.
Friends, take time and reflect on your position in Christ today. You are greater than John the Baptist, Moses, Jeremiah, and King David. But your greatness is not based on your moral qualities.
It is based on Christ. Thank Jesus today that you are a part of His Kingdom and ask Him in prayer that He would lead you to do work for His Kingdom as well.
Soli Deo Gloria.
Today's post was submitted by Russ Shellhamer.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I think there could be more to this. Look at this verse again, Luke 7:28 "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."
ReplyDeleteOf all men born of “women” John the Baptist is the greatest. Other words, John the Baptist is the greatest of all the natural born men but the least in the Kingdom of God is greater than him. This makes perfect since. We must be born again to enter into the kingdom of God ie have a spiritual birth. Someone with a spiritual birth is greater than the greatest natural born man of a woman. Jesus is emphasizing the greatness of the spiritual birth verses having just a natural birth
Now concerning the Spirit of God, all the Old Testament saints had the Spirit of God. John the Baptist even had the Spirit of God from birth! Luke 1:15 "For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb.
The way to God has never changed. We must be born again by the Spirit of God to enter the kingdom of Heaven.
In John 3, Jesus scolded Nicodemus, a teacher of the Old Testament Law concerning this fact. Even from the Old Testament, Nicodemus should have known this truth!!!
John 3:10
Jesus answered and said to him, "Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things?
Everyone who desires to enter into the kingdom of God must be born again or have the second birth.
Are Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of God? David, Moses, Elijah?
We are all headed to the same city. The city Abraham looked for is the same city we are looking for:
Heb 11:10
for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
Jesus is gathering together as one
Eph 1:10
that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth-- in Him.
This was the mystery. That Christ shall gather all into the Holy City as His bride. This was hidden from the Old Testament saints but now has been made manifest.
Rev 21:2
Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
Russell,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments. To you as well, KW.
**I love it when people studying the word of GOD mention things which another individual coincidentally mentioned recently!!
**I am referring to this past Sunday, when Dr. DeLoach said that we DO NOT HAVE TO DIE TO ENTER THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.
Obviously, our spirits are trapped in our bodies until we take our last breath;however, after accepting Christ we are already in the Kingdom.
**I know that my name is written in the Lamb's Book of Life already, and that my name is written on the underside of the white rock.
**Thanks for your pointing out that we can enjoy the Holy Spirit, which Old Testament Saints could not do(although it is quite obvious that many Old Testament individuals spoke with GOD, received clear-cut messages from GOD, etc.
Peace and love!!!