PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Luke 7:24-30
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“The one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than (John).” (Luke 7:28)
John was the greatest Old Testament messenger for the coming Messiah.
Even greater than Abraham, Moses, Elijah, or David!?
Yet Jesus makes this shocking statement about the least in the kingdom.
How can you or I be greater than these heroes of the faith?
The key is how we understand the kingdom of God.
The kingdom of God is this world under God-like human rulers.
Jesus is Adam restored, ruling over creation (Genesis 1:26-28).
With Jesus we are restored as God’s image-bearers.
To rule WITH, LIKE and FOR God as his representatives!
We are not greater in value than anyone else.
But in terms of purpose, our calling exceeds the OT heroes of faith.
In the power of the Spirit, we are building the kingdom like Jesus did.
With love, mercy, self-denial, compassion – the Jesus Way, the Adam way!
What a huge privilege AND responsibility it is to know and follow Jesus!
PRAYER
Lord, we see love and mercy as weak, and yet it is the greatest ministry of all. Help me to see how world-changing your Way is!
“What did you go out to see?”
Lord help me understand what I am out to see, and help me not be distracted by swaying weeds.
“there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” Humanly speaking, Jesus puts John’s status at the top – ahead of famous kings like David and Solomon. Yet the highest status human is less than anyone in the ‘kingdom of God’. Earthly status is vain. So why do we clamor for it? We like it when we had the opportunity to be in the presence of important or popular people. Those baptized by John – who admitted their sin and repented – ready to receive the Messiah. Humble me Lord and let my receive your grace so that I can be gracious to those around me. Then I have status in your kingdom as a Kingdom worker!
The people heard and acknowledged God’s Way was right. But the religious leaders stood afar off having a closed heart. They wanted to be in charge and lead the people focusing on themselves and not on His Word and His kingdom. John was shining the light way but they did not have the eyes that see. Open y eyes Lord so that I can see how Your kingdom continues to grow by Your Kingdom workers. Lead me in the way everlasting.
All for Jesus! All for Jesus!
All my being’s ransomed pow’rs;
All my thoughts and words and doings,
All my days and all my hours.
All for Jesus! All for Jesus!
All my days and all my hours.
All for Jesus! All for Jesus!
All my days and all my hours.