"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." [Lk 7:28]
John the Baptist, according to Jesus, is the greatest prophet. More-so than Elijah and of Isaiah, and even of Moses, (though in Moses’ day it was said, “there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses” [Deut 34:10]), Jesus says, “among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist.” This is the prophet which was spoken about hundreds of years before:
“The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, prepare ye the way of The LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.” [Isa 40:3]
John was the prophet chosen of God to be the forerunner for the Messiah. The very one who would clear the path for Christ’s appearance unto Israel. But as great as John’s ministry and person were, Jesus says, “he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” The kingdom of God here, must be in reference to the Church, of whom John, though certainly he will partake of The Lord’s kingdom and “sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob,” [Mt 8:11] yet, was certainly not a part of the Church.
What an incredible thing for Jesus to say; that those poor, lowly saints of God, those saved sinners as you and I, who have been “translated into the kingdom of The Son of [The Father’s] love,” [Col 1:13] who can sing sweetly to Christ, “[thou] hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation,” [Rev 5:9] yes, what an incredible thing, that we should be greater than John the Baptist. And, since Jesus labels John as the greatest prophet, it also implies that he that is lowliest in the kingdom of Christ is also greater than Moses, Aaron, Isaiah, Ezekiel; yes, and any other prophet of God.
What a privilege it is in Christ; what an unmerited and profound privilege. That even the lowliest beggar of a saint who believes in Christ; yes, even that poor, thieving soul which hung upon the cross as breathed out the words, “Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom,” [Lk 23:42] is greater than any prophet of old. Praise be to the grace of Christ; for we have been, as it says, raised up “out of the dust” and lifted “out of the dunghill,” that we might be set of God “with princes, even with the princes of His people.” [Psa 113:7-8] What grace and mercy of Christ that He would lift us up to such heights. What power abides in the Almighty Christ of God, Jesus, that those found in Him would be so highly and blessedly elevated. What precious heights and depths and lengths of love, that we should be chosen for no merit of our own, but chosen nevertheless in Christ, to be lifted so high as to be above these prophets of old who gave their lives for God.
May God be thanked and praised; for “he that is least in the kingdom of God,” no matter how poor he may be – but because he believes in Christ, “is greater than [John the Baptist].” What a privilege and a blessing it is to be found in Christ, to be found covered and washed in the blood of God’s Only Lamb.
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