Week of May 5, 2023
“Truly I tell, among those born of women, there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” (Matthew 11:11, NKJV)
John the Baptist’s role was to decrease in importance, and Jesus’ ministry was to increase. John 3:30 John allowed his disciples to leave him in order to follow Jesus. His ministry lasted about six months before he was wrongfully imprisoned and executed. Yet Jesus said that no one who had come before John was any greater in the kingdom of heaven. Moses had parted the Red Sea, Elijah had raised the dead and brought down fire from heaven. Isaiah had written a book of scripture, yet in the brief time of service granted to John, he had matched them all for greatness in their kingdom work! Incredibly Jesus said that we have the opportunity to be even greater in the kingdom of heaven than John the Baptist.
To serve God in the smallest way is an honor far greater than we deserve. John was given less than a year to complete his assignment, and he did so with all that he had. We have the opportunity to allow Jesus to do His work through our lives. Our mandate is the same as John’s, to lift up Jesus and deny ourselves. Service to God is a great privilege. May we do ours with the same fervor that John the Baptist did his.
God Bless, Pastor Rick